Boeing 737 MAX 9 to Remain Grounded as Boeing Admits Mistakes
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has announced that the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft will continue to be grounded until the cause of the recent accident involving a door plug falling off is determined. This announcement comes as Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted that the company had made mistakes.
The decision to keep the aircraft grounded was made following an incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, where a door jam on the side of the cabin fell off, leading to an emergency landing. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration subsequently ordered the temporary grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 passenger aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or within the United States to conduct safety inspections.
According to statistics, Boeing has delivered 218 737 MAX 9 passenger aircraft worldwide, with most in service with Alaska Airlines and United Airlines. In response to the grounding, Alaska Airlines has canceled its Boeing 737 MAX 9 flight schedule until January 13, with more than 100 flights canceled each day.
During a meeting on January 9, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted that the company had made mistakes regarding the recent accidents related to the Boeing 737 MAX 9. Calhoun stated that the company will work with the National Transportation Safety Board to determine the cause of the accidents and ensure safety in future flights.
However, industry insiders have expressed concerns about quality control problems at Boeing, with preliminary reports from airlines indicating loose parts and bolts on some Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The accidents have heightened worries about Boeing’s quality control standards and the supervision of relevant regulatory agencies.
In response to the Boeing 737 MAX 9 accident, some members of the U.S. Congress have called for hearings to evaluate the accident, Boeing’s engineering and safety standards, and the quality of supervision by regulatory agencies such as the Federal Aviation Administration.