After Five Days of Inspections, Boeing's 737 MAX 9 Remains
Grounded With an Uncertain Timeline"
Following five days of inspections and 40 evaluations,
Boeing's 737 MAX 9 is still grounded, lacking a clear timeline for when it can
resume operations. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated a review
of data from the first round of inspections on these grounded planes, which
became the focus of regulatory and consumer attention after an incident on an
Alaska Airlines flight from Portland on Jan. 5, where a door plug, covering an
unused emergency exit, dislodged.
In response to this incident, the FAA promptly grounded the
MAX 9 planes that use a door plug to fill the space of an unused emergency
exit. Investigators suspect that bolts intended to secure the plug to the plane
were either incorrectly installed or missing altogether.
The grounding will persist until the planes undergo
inspection, following procedures outlined by Boeing, pending approval from the
FAA, which has not yet been granted.
On Wednesday, the FAA reported the completion of 40
preliminary inspections, signaling a step forward in the process. However, this
does not imply an imminent return to service for the MAX 9; rather, it
represents a gradual progression in what is anticipated to be a lengthy review.
The FAA stated, "All 737-9 MAX aircraft with door plugs
will remain grounded pending the FAA’s review and final approval of an
inspection and maintenance process that satisfies all FAA safety
requirements." Once approved, the inspection and maintenance process will
be mandatory for all grounded 737-9 MAX planes before resuming operations.
The inspection guidelines have experienced fluctuations in
approvals and revisions, contributing to the prolonged grounding. Consequently,
flight delays and cancellations are anticipated as airlines work to mitigate
the impact of the grounded planes. At Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, 121
flights were canceled, and 335 flights were delayed as of Wednesday evening.
Boeing initially provided instructions to Alaska and United
Airlines, the two U.S.-based carriers operating the MAX 9, shortly after the
safety incident, but these instructions were retracted on the same day. The FAA
approved a compliance method for the emergency airworthiness directive, but
Boeing had to revise its initial instructions based on feedback received.
Despite being "encouraged by the exhaustive
nature" of Boeing's revised instructions, the FAA withheld final approval
until data from the first round of inspections was reviewed. FAA Administrator
Mike Whitaker emphasized that the Boeing 737-9 MAX would not return to service
until complete satisfaction regarding its safety is ensured for American
travelers.