Boeing’s president and CEO has acknowledged the planemaker’s “mistake” after the door plug of an Alaska Airlines-operated flight blew off last week shortly after take off.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun told employees during a meeting on Jan. 9 that the company will work with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), which is investigating the incident and will remain transparent with the agency throughout the probe.
“We’re going to approach it with 100 percent and complete transparency every step of the way. We are going to work with the NTSB who is investigating the accident itself to find out what the cause is. We have a long experience with this group. They’re as good as it gets.”
Mr. Calhoun’s comments came shortly after the door plug fell off Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 as it was en route to California from Portland International Airport in Oregon on Jan. 5, prompting an emergency landing back in Portland.
Aircraft Grounded
The incident occurred roughly six minutes into the flight when the aircraft reached an altitude of about 16,000 feet, according to the NTSB.
None of the individuals onboard were seriously hurt.
However, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since grounded all 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft worldwide while it conducts safety inspections.
To begin the safety inspection operation, Boeing must first “provide instructions to operators for inspections and maintenance,” the agency stated.
“Boeing offered an initial version of instructions yesterday which they are now revising because of feedback received in response,” the FAA stated. “Upon receiving the revised version of instructions from Boeing the FAA will conduct a thorough review.”
Aircraft Safety a Priority
In a separate update on Jan. 8, the FAA noted that operations would conduct “enhanced inspections which include both left and right cabin door exit plugs, door components, and fasteners.”“Operators must also complete corrective action requirements based on findings from the inspections prior to bringing any aircraft back into service,” the agency stated.
The airliner stated on Jan. 8 that it anticipates that the aircraft inspections will be completed in the next few days.
“The safety of these aircraft is our priority and we will take the time and steps necessary to ensure their airworthiness, in close partnership with the FAA,” the airliner stated.
Mr. Calhoun told Boeing employees during the Jan. 9 meeting that Alaska Airlines’ ability to quickly ground its fleet of MAX 9s with door plugs “prevented, potentially, another accident.”
The agency noted that the door plug was currently being examined by NTSB investigators and would be sent to a lab in Washington D.C. for further examination.
