Renton, Washington – The missing paperwork for the 737 Max that experienced a door plug issue on an Alaska Airlines flight in January not only made it difficult to determine who was responsible for the mistake, but also potentially caused the problem in the first place, Boeing revealed this week.
During a briefing at Boeing’s 737 Max factory in Renton, Washington, it was disclosed that the absence of documentation explaining the work done on the door plug led to the crucial four bolts not being installed before the plane left the factory in October. The employees tasked with reinstalling the bolts were not aware of the work needed to be done due to the lack of paperwork.
The incident with the door plug underscores concerns about the quality of work along Boeing’s assembly lines, prompting multiple federal investigations and whistleblower reports. These issues have resulted in delays in aircraft deliveries, impacting airlines and passengers worldwide.
Boeing faced criticism from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for divulging investigative details to the media, violating agency rules. As a result, Boeing is no longer permitted access to information generated during NTSB investigations, with the matter being referred to the Department of Justice.
The Alaska Airlines incident was attributed to miscommunication between different groups of employees at the manufacturing plant, where the door plug was removed without the necessary paperwork and bolts. This oversight led to the door plug blowing out mid-flight, causing damage to the fuselage but fortunately no serious injuries to passengers.
The NTSB preliminary findings highlighted the missing bolts but did not assign blame for the accident, with a final report expected to be released in the coming year. Boeing is taking corrective measures by slowing down the assembly line and ensuring all aircraft issues are resolved before advancing in production, aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Addressing the problem head-on, Boeing is confident that the implemented actions will guarantee the safety of every aircraft leaving the factory, prioritizing quality control and thorough documentation throughout the manufacturing process.