FAA launches audit of Boeing manufacturing amid mid-air blowout

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane is parked on the tarmac at Los Angeles International Airport on January 8, 2024. In Los Angeles, United and Alaska Airlines both reported on January 8 that loose hardware had been discovered on some of their Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes during preliminary inspections after a dramatic mid-flight incident last week. (AFP Photo)

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on January 12 steps to bolster oversight of Boeing's production and manufacturing activities, including an audit of the production line and suppliers, after the aircraft maker faced mid-air panel blowout incident on January 5.

These actions are a part of the FAA's commitment to ensuring the highest standards of safety in aviation, the regulator said.

The move came in response to growing safety apprehensions surrounding Boeing's 737-9 MAX aircraft. To address these concerns, the FAA has taken decisive action, grounding approximately 171 aircraft. These measures were prompted by a recent incident on a Boeing Model 737-9 MAX, where the aircraft experienced the loss of a passenger door plug during flight.

The Alaska Airlines flight, which had been in service for just eight weeks, took off from Portland, Oregon, on January 5 and was flying at 16,000 feet (4,900 m) when the panel tore off the plane. Pilots returned the jet to Portland, with only minor injuries suffered by people on board.

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On January 12, the FAA announced several actions regarding the Boeing 737-9 MAX, including an audit of the production line and suppliers to assess compliance with approved quality procedures. The FAA will determine the need for additional audits based on the results. Moreover, there will be heightened monitoring of in-service events for the Boeing 737-9 MAX. Safety risks related to delegated authority and quality oversight will be assessed, with potential consideration of moving these functions to independent, third-party entities.

"It is time to re-examine the delegation of authority and assess any associated safety risks," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. "The grounding of the 737-9 and the multiple production-related issues identified in recent years require us to look at every option to reduce risk. The FAA is exploring the use of an independent third party to oversee Boeing’s inspections and its quality system."

Earlier on January 11, the FAA announced an investigation to assess whether Boeing overlooked the obligation to guarantee that finished products adhered to its approved design and maintained a state conducive to safe operation in accordance with FAA regulations. The FAA said the Alaska Airlines incident "should have never happened and it cannot happen again." It told Boeing of the investigation in a letter on Wednesday "to determine if Boeing failed to ensure completed products conformed to its approved design and were in a condition for safe operation" under FAA rules. The agency cited "additional discrepancies" in other 737 MAX 9 planes.

On January 8, Alaska and United said they had found loose parts on multiple grounded aircraft during preliminary checks, raising new concerns about how Boeing's best-selling jet family is manufactured. The two carriers have canceled hudndreds of flights since with the planes grounded, with United canceling about 200 and Alaska Air 158 on January 11.