U.S. aviation regulators have taken a precautionary measure, temporarily grounding 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners, following a recent safety incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight, Reuters reports. The move comes after a cabin panel blowout led to an emergency landing, raising concerns about the structural integrity of these aircraft. This development has prompted both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines to halt the use of some MAX 9 planes.
Safety incident details
The incident occurred during takeoff from Portland, Oregon, as the Alaska Airlines jet en route to Ontario, California, experienced a fuselage tear on the left side. Despite the emergency, pilots successfully executed a safe landing, with all 171 passengers and six crew members unharmed. Notably, the affected plane had been in service for only eight weeks.
Grounding and inspection
In response to the safety concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has mandated immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines had resumed using some MAX 9 planes after initial inspections, but both carriers have now suspended their usage while engaging in talks to determine the necessary steps before the aircraft can be reinstated into service.
FAA's decision impact
While the FAA's decision falls short of a global grounding, as witnessed five years ago after two fatal crashes, it remains a setback for Boeing. The company is striving to recover from recent challenges, including safety issues and the economic impact of the pandemic, compounded by significant debt.
Fuselage manufacturing and inspection requirements
The affected fuselage for Boeing 737s is manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems, an independent entity since its separation from Boeing in 2005. The FAA has not disclosed specific inspection requirements or intervals, but the MAX 9 represents a substantial portion of the 1,400 MAX jets delivered to date. Boeing has expressed support for the FAA's decision.
Impact on airlines
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are the exclusive U.S. carriers utilizing the MAX 9, accounting for 220 out of the delivered 1,400 jets. Flight cancellations by Alaska and United in response to the grounding have been reported, with Alaska Airlines estimating disruptions through at least mid-week. The grounding affects 65 Boeing MAX 9 jets operated by Alaska Airlines and around 45 by United Airlines.
Global response and certification status
Foreign regulators, including China, are seeking details on the incident, potentially signalling a broader impact on the global aviation industry. It is noteworthy that the European Union Aviation Safety Agency has adopted the FAA's directive, aligning with the precautionary measures taken in the United States.
Boeing is awaiting certification for its smaller MAX 7 and larger MAX 10 models, essential for competitive positioning against Airbus. The recent incident adds to Boeing's challenges, as the company has faced production issues on the MAX planes in the aftermath of the 2019 crashes.
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