Boeing Faces Pressure as 2 Airlines Find Loose Parts During Inspections

Boeing says it will help operators address “any and all findings.”

Alaska Airlines flight 1276, a Boeing 737-900, taxis before takeoff from Portland International Airport in Portland, Ore., on Jan. 6, 2024. Craig Mitchelldyer/AP Photo

United Airlines and Alaska Airlines have both reported finding loose parts on several 737 Max 9 planes during inspections, which were initiated after a door plug of an Alaska Airlines-operated flight blew off in mid-air last week.

In a statement on Jan. 8, Alaska Airlines said that initial reports from its technicians, who were preparing its 737 Max 9 fleet for inspections, indicated “some loose hardware” was visible on some aircraft.