Boeing Subcontractor Scrutinized Over Door Plug Failure

Employees of Spirit AeroSystems allege poor quality control in legal filing.

Thursday, January 11, 2024 at 12:18 AM ET

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The door plug on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 blew off as the aircraft climbed through 16,000 feet. [Courtesy: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

Boeing subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems is facing a class-action lawsuit filed by former employees alleging ignored warnings about product quality and excessive defects, which precedes the recent mid-air incident.
An Alaska Airlines 737-9 Max 9 experienced rapid depressurization and an emergency landing after a door plug blew off mid-flight, leading the FAA to ground all 150 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspections.
The NTSB investigation recovered the door plug and found fractured guide tracks, but has not yet determined if the securing bolts were installed or failed; the aircraft also had prior maintenance write-ups for pressurization warning lights.
Boeing's CEO expressed the seriousness of the safety failure and the company's commitment to assisting the NTSB investigation, while both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems are cooperating with authorities.

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Litigation filed against a Boeing subcontractor is the latest wrinkle in the investigation of the Boeing 737-9 Max 9 that lost a door plug in mid-flight, resulting in cabin depressurization and an emergency landing. Spirit AeroSystems is facing a class action lawsuit filed in federal court in December by former employees who allege the Wichita, Kansas-based manufacturer didn’t listen when they raised concerns about product quality.

According to the investigative publication The Lever, the complaint was filed on December 19 in federal court in New York state on behalf of investors in Spirit AeroSystems. The complaint alleges that employees of the aerostructure manufacturer repeatedly warned corporate officials about “sustained quality failures” and “excessive amounts of defects,” but their concerns were ignored.