Boeing is set to implement additional quality inspections for its 737 MAX aircraft in response to a recent mid-air blowout of a cabin panel on an Alaska Airlines MAX 9. Following the incident, Stan Deal, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, announced measures to enhance quality control. Boeing plans to send a team to supplier Spirit AeroSystems, responsible for making and installing the plug door implicated in the incident, to inspect and approve Spirit’s work before fuselages are shipped to Boeing’s production facilities in Washington state. The move comes after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extended the grounding of 171 MAX 9 planes for new safety checks, prompting Boeing to take further actions to ensure quality and safety in its production process.
As part of the new measures, Boeing teams will conduct inspections at 50 different points in Spirit’s production process. Both Boeing and Spirit will open their 737 production facilities to airline customers, allowing carriers to conduct their own inspections. This collaborative effort aims to enhance transparency and ensure that the aircraft meet the required safety standards. The FAA has recently initiated an audit of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 production line and suppliers, indicating increased scrutiny on safety practices. The agency is also exploring the possibility of an independent entity taking over certain aircraft certification responsibilities that were previously assigned to Boeing.
In addition to inspections and collaborative efforts with suppliers, Boeing is focusing on internal training and quality assurance. The company plans to hold sessions for its employees on quality management and will bring in an external party to conduct an independent assessment of its production process. This proactive approach aims to address concerns related to the recent safety incident and the FAA’s heightened oversight. United Airlines and Alaska Airlines have canceled all MAX 9 flights through Tuesday, and the FAA’s safety checks are expected to further determine the aircraft’s readiness for resumption of operations. Boeing’s commitment to comprehensive inspections and collaboration with suppliers and regulators underscores its dedication to restoring confidence in the safety of its airplanes.