Flights can resume if approved inspection criteria are passed.
Boeing 737 Max 9, including Alaska Airlines, scheduled to operate soon
It has been reported that the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the resumption of operations for the Boeing 737 Max 9 model, which was embroiled in controversy after an accident in which a hole in the fuselage occurred during flight.
According to foreign media such as CNN Business on the 24th (local time), on this day, the FAA approved a series of inspection standards for 171 Boeing 737 Max 9s that were out of service, and announced that if they pass these standards, the aircraft can be operated.
“The thorough and enhanced review our team completed over several weeks gives us confidence that we can proceed with the inspection and maintenance phase,” FAA Administrator Mike Whittaker said in a statement.
According to the inspection standards approved by the FAA, Boeing must inspect each of the 171 grounded aircraft, including door plugs and accessories. The door plug is a part that blocks the emergency exit, and is a major part of this accident.
However, Director Whitaker said, “Accidents can never happen again. Let me be clear: this measure will not allow Boeing to resume business as usual.” “We will not agree to Boeing’s request to expand production or approve additional production lines for the 737 Max lineup until quality control issues are resolved.”
On the same day, Boeing said in a statement, “We will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and take steps to enhance Boeing’s safety and quality under the FAA’s direction.”
With the approval to resume operations, Alaska Airlines announced that one Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft is expected to begin operation on the 26th after undergoing a 12-hour inspection.
United Airlines is said to have received approval from the FAA to return 79 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft to its fleet.
Previously, Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737 Max 9 took off from Portland, Oregon, USA on the 5th and was flying towards Ontario, California, when a window broke at an altitude of 16,000 feet (approximately 4880m), and the emergency door and part of the fuselage were torn off, causing the plane to take off. An emergency return was made within minutes.
There were 174 passengers and 6 crew members on board the plane at the time, and fortunately there were no casualties.
The next day, on the 6th, the FAA banned the operation of about 170 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft used by all U.S. airlines and ordered a full safety-related investigation.
Afterwards, United Airlines also announced on the 8th that it had closely inspected the same model and found similar defects, such as loose bolts in the aircraft’s emergency doors.
Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.