Summary
- The NTSB discovered several bolts intended to secure a door plug were missing on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9.
- The fuselage was found to have defects near the door plug, which were present when it was delivered to Boeing.
- The plug, manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems, was still deemed structurally acceptable.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has determined that the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, which lost a mid-exit door (MED) inflight last month, had missing bolts intended to secure it closed. The agency released its preliminary report on the high-profile January fifth incident on Tuesday.
The aircraft, N704AL, was operating as AS1282 from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, when the left MED tore off shortly after departure, leaving a gaping hole within the fuselage and aircraft decompression. After a radical investigation, the NTSB confirmed that the fuselage was delivered to Boeing with defects near the door plug.
“4 bolts that prevent upward movement”
Because the MED was deactivated attributable to the aircraft’s capability configuration, bolts were speculated to surround the door to maintain it closed. Nonetheless, three visible locations on the door plug reportedly show where the required bolts were missing: two vertical arrestors and a forward upper guide track. A further location – the aft upper guide track – is unseen in photos provided by Boeing, because it is roofed with insulation.
After its assessment, the NTSB confirmed its findings.
“Overall, the observed damage patterns and absence of contact damage or deformation around holes related to the vertical movement arrestor bolts and upper guide track bolts within the upper guide fittings, hinge fittings, and recovered aft lower hinge guide fitting indicate that the 4 bolts that prevent upward movement of the MED plug were missing before the MED plug moved upward off the stop pads.”
Details on the construct
The faulty MED plug was manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems in Malaysia on March 24, 2023, and was sent to its headquarters in Wichita, Kansas, on May tenth. In keeping with the NTSB, it was then As a part of its investigation, the agency, together with a Human Performance Investigator, visited Spirit AeroSystems to review critical documents regarding the construct of the accidental plug and observe the installation of a MED plug.
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In keeping with the agency, a defect was noted through the construct means of N704AL’s plug, indicating that it was not entirely flush with the fuselage by 0.01 inches. Nonetheless, Spirit AeroSystems determined it was still “before being sent to Boeing in late August. Upon delivery, damage to rivets in five locations was reportedly discovered. Repairs were conducted, requiring the bolts to be removed.
the NTSB said.
Communication issues
Addressing the agency’s report, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said on Tuesday that Boeing takes responsibility for what went mistaken.
“Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened. An event like this must not occur on an airplane that leaves our factory. We simply must do higher for our customers and their passengers. We’re implementing a comprehensive plan to strengthen quality and the arrogance of our stakeholders. It should take significant, demonstrated motion and transparency at every turn – and that’s where we’re squarely focused.”
Photo: NTSB
While the NTSB has not determined any conclusions, the preliminary report underscores documentation and communication issues between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems. In keeping with records, the procedure to interchange the damaged rivets was accomplished by the aerostructure manufacturer on September nineteenth, but photos from Boeing show evidence that the MED plug was not equipped with the retaining bolts.
the corporate explained.
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