FAA opens investigation into Boeing quality control after Alaska Airlines incident

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces an investigation into Boeing’s quality control following a door plug failure on a 737 Max 9 aircraft. The incident occurred during a flight, causing a hole in the fuselage and ripping off headrests. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the two US operators of the Max 9, discovered loose hardware or bolts in the assembly of door plugs. Both airlines grounded their planes pending FAA-mandated inspections. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted the failure was a breakdown in manufacturing and quality control processes. The FAA has asked Boeing for information on the incident’s root cause and preventive actions. The FAA’s investigation is separate from the ongoing National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation. The NTSB has recovered key items from the aircraft and expects to release a preliminary report in three to four weeks.