PORTLAND, Oregon: The recent Boeing 737 Max 9 incident that suffered an inflight blowout has led to the grounding of 171 of the 218 operational Max 9s, including those utilized by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, after a warning light indicating a possible pressurization problem was reported on three separate flights, stated Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), on Sunday.
Alaska Airlines made the decision to confine the aircraft from long over-water flights following the appearance of the warning light during previous flights on December 7, January 3, and January 4, which was just a day before the incident occurred in Oregon.
Homendy cautioned that the pressurization light might not directly relate to the incident where a plug covering an unused exit door blew off the Boeing 737 Max 9 while cruising over Oregon. Investigators located the lost door plug near Portland, discovered by a school teacher identified as Bob, who found it in his backyard.
The aircraft returned to Portland after the explosive rush of air damaged seats and insulation, causing chaos in the plane’s interior. The cockpit door swung open, damaging nearby structures, while the pilots faced challenges due to the sudden air pressure changes.
The FAA has ordered inspections of the Max 9 fleet. As a result, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines canceled numerous flights as inspections were pending, affecting more than one-fifth of Alaska’s schedule and resulting in about 180 flight cancellations by United.
This incident reignites concerns about the Boeing 737 Max series, previously grounded for nearly two years after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Investigations continue into this recent incident, focusing on the door plug detachment and the aircraft’s pressurization system.
Boeing, currently developing a service bulletin for inspections, declined to comment on the matter. Democratic US Sen. Maria Cantwell supported the grounding of the Max 9s, emphasizing the need for stringent quality control and FAA oversight in aviation production.
As investigations progress, authorities urge residents to remain vigilant and assist in locating any relevant debris. The NTSB aims to return cell phones found in the vicinity of the incident to their rightful owners and investigate the cause of the blowout.
The recent incident is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by the Max series, raising questions about its safety and further impacting the aviation industry’s confidence in the aircraft’s reliability.