The reason behind the shocking incident on an Alaska Airlines flight that saw a panel blow off mid-flight has been revealed after the discovery of “loose bolts” on the aircraft. Over 171 planes of the same model have been grounded.
Grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9s
Renewed safety concerns have emerged concerning Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, leading to the grounding of 171 planes by U.S. regulators after a panel blew off an Alaska Airlines flight mid-flight.
The discovery of loose bolts on multiple aircraft has raised alarm bells and prompted investigations by major airlines, including United and Alaska. The incident’s details, implications for passenger safety, and the actions taken by airlines and regulators to address the issue are under investigation.
Swift Action
U.S. regulators took swift action, grounding 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft following the mid-flight incident involving an Alaska Airlines plane. During the incident, a panel blew off mid-flight, leading to an emergency landing.
United Airlines, the largest operator of the model, subsequently announced similar issues in its fleet, leading to concerns over the safety of the widely used aircraft.
United Airlines reported findings of loose bolts during its assessments of the MAX 9s. The airline identified installation issues in the door plug, the component responsible for the incident on the Alaska Airlines flight. Alaska Airlines also acknowledged the presence of “loose hardware” on some of its aircraft.
Both airlines pledged to address these concerns promptly to ensure the safe return of the aircraft to service. “Since we began preliminary inspections on Saturday, we have found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug – for example, bolts that needed additional tightening,” the airline said, “These findings will be remedied by our Tech Ops team to safely return the aircraft to service.”
The Alaska Airlines Incident
The alarming incident on the Alaska Airlines flight involved the detachment of a panel known as a “plug” in the aviation industry. These plugs cover optional exit doors in planes with denser seating configurations. The detachment caused a violent force, resulting in seats being ripped from their fixtures.
Fortunately, no passengers were seated next to the panel, and no serious injuries occurred. However, passengers’ belongings, along with the detached door plug, fell from the exposed gap during the flight.
Amidst the chaos, an iPhone was sucked out of the exposed gap during the incident and survived a 16,000-foot fall. The phone, found intact and fully functional, landed on a roadside in Portland. It remained unlocked with hours of battery life.
The surreal survival of the device adds a remarkable and unexpected dimension to the incident, capturing the attention of onlookers and raising questions about the force and dynamics of the mid-air event. It was also reported that a woman’s child was nearly “sucked out” of the “refrigerator-sized” gap, but the mother miraculously saved her baby in time.
Discovery of the Missing Door Plug
The missing door plug from the Alaska Airlines jet was found in a Portland schoolteacher’s garden. The teacher, known only as Bob, discovered the panel in the city’s Cedar Hills suburb.
Door plugs are crucial components used to cover optional exit doors in planes with denser seating configurations. Investigators must know the importance of the missing component in understanding why a sizable hole opened up mid-flight to stop this from happening again.
Cancelled Flights
In response to the safety concerns, airlines have cancelled hundreds of flights and initiated inspections on their fleets of Boeing 737 MAX 9s. The models will remain grounded until regulators ascertain their safety. Boeing, acknowledging the impact on customers and passengers, issued instructions to airlines regarding inspections.
The incident has prompted a comprehensive review of the MAX 9s to ensure they meet design specifications and adhere to the highest safety and quality standards.
Alaska Airlines’ Preliminary Inspections
Alaska Airlines, which operates more than 60 Boeing 737 MAX 9s, is yet to release the findings of its preliminary inspections. As investigations unfold and airlines work to rectify the identified issues, the aviation industry remains on high alert.
The ongoing situation stresses the need for rigorous safety measures and collaboration between airlines and regulators to address potential risks promptly and ensure the continued safety of air travel.
“We are committed to ensuring every Boeing aeroplane meets design specifications and the highest safety and quality standards,” Boeing said on Monday evening” Alaska Airlines revealed, “We regret the impact this has had on our customers and their passengers.”
The post Investigation Into Boeing 737 Mid-Flight Panel Blow Out first appeared on Edge Media.
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