Boeing Inspecting Additional Aircraft

Aircraft with the same style door plug that departed an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 in flight now face scrutiny.

Monday, January 22, 2024 at 05:07 PM ET

Verified

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:

The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) recommending visual inspections of the mid-exit door plugs on Boeing 737-900ER jets.
This action is prompted by the 737-900ER sharing the identical door plug design with the 737 Max 9, which recently experienced a mid-flight door plug detachment.
Operators are encouraged to check that the door plugs are secured by their guide track and arrestor bolts, with some already having reported "findings with bolts" during these inspections.

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The FAA is asking the operators of Boeing 737-900ER jets to inspect their aircraft in the wake of the door plug accident involving a 737 Max 9. According to the agency, the 900ER has the same door plug as the Max 9, which has been grounded worldwide since January 6 following the loss of a door plug at altitude from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 that resulted in an emergency landing.

On January 22, the FAA issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) recommending that operators of the Boeing 737-900ER conduct a visual inspection of the mid-exit door plugs to ensure they are properly secured.