The Boeing 737 Max 9 plane that made an emergency landing last month after its door plug exploded in midair was missing four bolts that would have prevented the panel from moving up, according to a preliminary report from the National Board. of Transportation Safety.
As part of the NTSB investigation, the agency found that the “absence of contact damage or deformation” around the holes associated with the vertical movement bolts indicates that four bolts “preventing upward movement” of the panel were missing. the door before the panel moved up out of the door. stop pads, according to the report.
Boeing said in a statement that the company would review the NTSB's findings “promptly” and will continue to cooperate “fully and transparently” with this investigation, as well as a separate investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration.
“Whatever the final conclusion is reached, Boeing is responsible for what happened,” company CEO Dave Calhoun said in the statement. “An event like this should not occur on a plane that leaves our factory. “We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers.”
General view of the MED plug and associated components removed from the accident airplane as received at the NTSB Materials Laboratory.
(NTSB)
Boeing said it has implemented a quality assurance plan to ensure that all 737 Max 9 mid-exit door plugs are installed “according to specifications,” including new inspections of the door plug assembly in the factories of both suppliers, as well as internally, and added “signage and protocol” to fully document when the door plug is opened or removed at the Boeing factory.
The NTSB said its investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which was traveling from Portland International Airport to Ontario, is ongoing.
