FAA is investigating the Boeing 737 after an incident with Alaska Airlines

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is conducting a formal investigation into Boeing’s compliance with safety regulations for its 737-9 MAX aircraft following a midair panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight on Jan. 5.

The FAA stated that this incident should never have occurred and must not be repeated, emphasizing that the decision to return the aircraft to service will be based on the safety of the flying public rather than speed.

The FAA stated that the investigation will determine whether Boeing did not guarantee that finished products met its approved design and were in a safe condition according to FAA regulations.

Alaska Airlines and United Airlines reported discovering additional 737s with loose hardware or bolts in the assembly of door plugs on their planes. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted the company's mistake during a town hall meeting.

The recovery of the 737 MAX's reputation remains uncertain

Airlines are continuing to have confidence in the popular 737 MAX despite the recent incident. According to one aviation analyst speaking to USA Today, the aircraft has not experienced any other major safety problems, and the latest issue is not expected to significantly affect production. Once inspections are completed and the problem with loose bolts is resolved, grounding the aircraft will ultimately lead to safer skies in the long run, as reported by the tourism news site TravelPulse. However, the recent door incident highlights Boeing's failure to effectively supervise production, and there may be concerns among the company's executives about potential future problems with this aircraft model, as noted by aviation journalist Zach Wichter.

Despite crashes, Boeing pursues safety exemptions for 737 aircraft

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expected to face intense questioning from lawmakers during a February hearing to determine if a lack of oversight was a factor in the panel blowout. 

The regulator has been under scrutiny for its involvement in the 2018 and 2019 crashes of two Boeing 737 planes, resulting in the deaths of 346 individuals. Reports have revealed that the FAA had agreed to Boeing's request to skip pilot training on the aerodynamics system that ultimately caused the accidents. Despite these concerns, Boeing is pushing the FAA to relax safety requirements. The Seattle Times reported that the FAA identified defects in the 737's engine anti-ice system, which could potentially lead to loss of control of the aircraft. Instead of grounding the planes, the FAA approved a temporary solution that requires pilots to temporarily turn off the anti-ice system. Boeing is now requesting an exemption from safety regulations for its latest 737 model. However, pilots argue that the interim measure is insufficient and raise concerns about the potential risk of fatalities. 

Safety issues from outsourcing plane construction

Spirit AeroSystems employees, subcontracted by Boeing to manufacture the door plug, raised safety concerns but were instructed to falsify records and downplay defects, according to a federal complaint filed by shareholders. The cause of the door failure, whether due to Spirit's construction or Boeing's installation, remains uncertain. The complaint points to limited FAA oversight on Spirit, attributing it to a chronic funding gap. Production issues extend beyond the door plug, as the complaint alleges that Spirit was aware of another defect regarding improperly drilled bulkhead holes months before it was made public in August. Despite this, the FAA determined there was no immediate safety risk and opted against expanding its preliminary investigation into Spirit.