{"id":61404,"date":"2024-04-11T14:35:00","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T09:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=61404"},"modified":"2024-04-11T13:55:21","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T08:25:21","slug":"ntsb-interviews-boeing-on-737-max-9-door-plug-incident","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2024\/04\/11\/ntsb-interviews-boeing-on-737-max-9-door-plug-incident\/","title":{"rendered":"NTSB Conducts New Interview of Boeing on 737 MAX Incident"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON- <\/strong>This week, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)<\/a> is conducting additional interviews with Boeing and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)<\/a> staff to investigate the January in-flight emergency involving an Alaska Airlines (AS)<\/a> 737 MAX 9<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On Wednesday, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy mentioned that investigators have returned to the 737 Renton, Washington plant for further interviews.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"NTSB
Photo: NTSB<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

NTSB Conducts Additional Interview of Boeing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

During a U.S. Senate hearing, Homendy stated they are examining other instances where a door plug was opened and closed to ensure the relevant records are accessible. She emphasized the importance of confirming whether these occurrences were properly documented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Boeing previously stated that it had no records documenting the removal of the door plug from the Alaska Airlines plane involved in the emergency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homendy reiterated on Wednesday that both Boeing and investigators are still unaware of the personnel who handled the Alaska Boeing 737 MAX 9 during the incident. She highlighted the challenge due to the high volume of aircraft passing through the factory in September. “The primary concern is the absence of records,” she remarked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homendy clarified that the focus is on the procedural aspects rather than targeting individuals. “This isn’t about assigning blame,” she emphasized. Furthermore, she mentioned that the NTSB has been unable to interview the door plug team manager, who has been on sick leave.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alaska
Photo: Nick Dean | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alaska Airlines Incident<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shortly after departing from Portland, Oregon, on January 5, the door plug panel detached from the Alaska Airlines flight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Homendy<\/strong> mentioned that investigators are examining the safety culture within the company that manufactured the aircraft. She suggested that the NTSB might conduct a safety culture survey at Boeing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to Homendy, Boeing has cooperated with the NTSB to provide the requested documents. She noted that Boeing is eager to understand the cause of the incident and take corrective measures: “They are keen on understanding and rectifying the situation,” said Homendy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In response to the incident, the FAA grounded the MAX 9 for several weeks, halted Boeing’s production increase of the MAX, and instructed the company to address systemic quality control issues within 90 days following an audit highlighting deficiencies in its manufacturing processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Alaska
Photo: Alaska Airlines<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Reason Behind the Incident<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Previously, the NTSB reported that four crucial bolts were absent from the ruptured door plug. The Justice Department has initiated a criminal inquiry into the emergency situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In March, Homendy criticized Boeing for what she termed as a lack of collaboration and failure to disclose certain documents, such as those related to the opening and closing of the door plug, as well as the identities of 25 individuals on the door crew in Renton. Following Homendy’s remarks, Boeing provided the names of the 25 workers and stated its willingness to cooperate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NTSB intends to conduct a public investigative hearing on the Alaska Airlines incident on August 6-7. Homendy mentioned that the hearing would feature testimony from Boeing and fuselage manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems employees and representatives from Alaska Airlines and others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join us on Telegram Group <\/a>for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alaska Airlines Technicians Approves New Contract<\/a><\/blockquote>