The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has temporarily grounded some Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes used by US airlines after a section of an Alaska Airlines flight ripped away midair. The FAA has ordered immediate inspections of 171 Boeing MAX 9s, which take four to eight hours per aircraft. Alaska Airlines has temporarily grounded all 65 of its 737 Max 9 aircraft for maintenance and inspections, and United Airlines has grounded 79 planes. Flight disruptions are expected to last into next week, and passengers should contact their airlines about specific flight cancellations or delays. The cause of the incident is still under investigation, and the FAA will lift the grounding order only after determining the aircraft is safe
What caused the blowout in the Boeing 737 max 9
The exact cause of the blowout in the Boeing 737 Max 9 on Alaska Airlines’ Flight 1282 is still under investigation. However, some key details about the incident have emerged:
- The blowout occurred in midair, causing a gaping hole in the side of the fuselage1.
- The flight was en route to Ontario, California, when the incident took place1.
- The plane climbed to 16,000 feet (4,876 meters) before the blowout occurred, with the hole causing the cabin to depressurize1.
- The blown-off piece fell over the Portland suburb of Cedar Hills1.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the incident1.
The FAA has ordered the temporary grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9s for immediate inspections, affecting 171 aircraft worldwide
Alaska Airlines has grounded all 65 of its 737 Max 9 aircraft for maintenance and inspections, and United Airlines has grounded 79 planes2. Flight disruptions are expected to last into next week, and passengers should contact their airlines about specific flight cancellations or delays2.
What is the current status of the investigation into the boeing 737 max 9 blowout
The current status of the investigation into the Boeing 737 Max 9 blowout is as follows:
- The incident occurred on Alaska Airlines’ Flight 1282, causing a gaping hole in the fuselage and an emergency landing1.
- The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are conducting the investigation1.
- The FAA has ordered the temporary grounding of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9s for immediate inspections1.
- Alaska Airlines has grounded all 65 of its 737 Max 9 aircraft for maintenance and inspections2.
- United Airlines has grounded 79 planes.
- Flight disruptions are expected to last into next week, and passengers should contact their airlines about specific flight cancellations or delays.
- The cause of the blowout is still under investigation, and the FAA will lift the grounding order only after determining the aircraft is safe.
The Boeing 737 Max 9 involved in the incident was a new aircraft, delivered to Alaska Airlines in late October The aircraft had been in service for just eight weeks before the incident.