Alaska Airlines Discovers Loose Bolts In Boeing Jets During Routine Maintenance

Alaska Airlines on Monday revealed the detection of "some loose hardware" on several Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft while conducting routine maintenance.

This revelation follows a recent incident where a segment of the fuselage detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 during a flight, leading to an emergency landing on Friday. Fortunately, no serious injuries were reported among the passengers or crew.

The identified issue pertains to the door plug, a fuselage component with a window that occupies the space designated for an emergency exit. The problem involves the need for tightening the bolts securing these components.

In response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated inspections for over 100 Boeing planes operated by Alaska and United. Additionally, the FAA imposed a temporary grounding of 171 aircraft of the same model.

Turning the focus to India, where Boeing's 737 MAX fleet consists of 40 aeroplanes across Akasa Air (22), SpiceJet (9), and Air India Express (9), the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported the completion of inspections on 39 aircraft. Except for one instance where a missing washer was identified, no other issues were found during the examinations.

Akasa Air, in adherence to regulatory guidelines, issued a statement on Monday affirming the completion of a comprehensive inspection across its operational Boeing 737 Max fleet. Similarly, SpiceJet confirmed the thorough examination of its Boeing 737 Max aircraft in line with regulatory directives.

In response to the developments, Boeing recommended all airlines operating the B737 Max to conduct thorough inspections of their fleets. The ongoing scrutiny aims to address safety concerns and ensure the airworthiness of the affected aircraft.