FAA grounds Boeing 737 MAX 9s after near disaster on Alaska Airlines flight
Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 narrowly averted a major catastrophe. The exact causes of the incident are unknown and could be attributed to a structural defect or improper operation. While investigations are ongoing, the American FAA has taken steps to halt these aircraft from entering airspace.
9:33 AM EST, January 7, 2024
Major malfunction of the Boeing 737 MAX 9
During flight 1282 from Portland to Ontario, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost part of its fuselage. At approximately 16,000 feet, a window and a section of the plane's shell fell out. This incident posed a grave danger as the flight had 180 passengers on board, and other passenger planes were nearby in the airspace.
The plane was safely landed, and all passengers survived. Many passengers lost their belongings and were saved from tragic consequences by their safety belts.
The reasons for such a serious malfunction are currently not known. An investigation was promptly initiated by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), but no conclusions have been drawn.
This doesn't mean that the Boeing 737 MAX 9 has clearance to operate in the airspace.
Alaska Airlines halts Boeing 737 MAX 9 flights
Alaska Airlines responded quickly, immediately suspending all flights of the 65 Boeing 737 MAX 9 models in their fleet. The inspection process is estimated to take at least several days.
FAA grounds all American Boeing 737 MAX 9s
The FAA has also reacted to the alarming incident. Although not formally put into effect, a statement has been released on the institutions' social media channels declaring a "temporary grounding of some Boeings".
The FAA plans on implementing the Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD). This directive is intended to impact 737 MAX 9 airplanes serviced on US soil and operated by American Airlines.
The agency anticipates that this will affect 171 aircraft globally. Under FAA's jurisdiction, the plane will not be authorized to fly without undergoing an additional technical inspection. Each inspection must be detailed and may take four to eight hours per aircraft.
