The Federal Aviation Administration said Wednesday it would not allow Boeing to expand production of its Max jets after an in-flight explosion this month grounded dozens of them for inspection, and said it would investigate the plane maker's compliance with manufacturing protocols.
Meanwhile, the agency also approved an inspection to return those grounded planes to the skies.
The agency made the moves after a panel known as a door seal tore off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 while in the air over the West Coast this month. In response, the FAA grounded 171 Max 9 aircraft for inspection. This incident raised questions about quality control protocols at Boeing BA.
And the regulatory bodies that supervise it.
The FAA's decisions also came after Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun met with US lawmakers in Washington. It was also prepared ahead of an FAA review of Boeing's safety practices that began last year. The FAA said Wednesday that it expects to report on the review's findings “within weeks.”
The regulator said on Wednesday that it had approved the “comprehensive inspection and maintenance process” required for each of Boeing's 171 737 MAX 9 aircraft. She added that once this process is complete, the aircraft will be “eligible to return to service.”
“The comprehensive and enhanced review our team completed after several weeks of gathering information gives me and the FAA the confidence to move forward with the inspection and maintenance phase,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement.
“However, let me be clear: This will not return to business as usual for Boeing. We will not approve any request from Boeing to expand production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this period have been resolved.” the operation.
Late Wednesday, a Boeing spokesperson said: “We will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and follow its guidance as we take actions to enhance safety and quality at Boeing.” We will also work closely with our airline customers as they complete the inspection procedures required to safely return their 737-9 aircraft to service.
Boeing shares fell 1.3% after hours.
The FAA said the inspection required a look at some of the bolts, guide tracks and fittings. It will also require “visual inspections” of the mid-cabin exit door plugs and related parts, reinstalling fasteners, and “correcting any damage or abnormal conditions.”
The agency also said it is limiting expanded production of any new Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to ensure compliance. The FAA also said it would conduct an investigation to look into how effectively the company complied with manufacturing requirements.
“The quality assurance issues we have seen are unacceptable,” Whittaker said. “That is why we will have more forces on the ground to closely audit and monitor production and manufacturing activities.”
Sen. Maria Cantwell, Democrat of Washington, said in a string On the
“The U.S. aviation industry and Boeing airline workers deserve a leadership culture at Boeing that puts safety before profits,” she said.
Alaska Airlines ALK,
In an interview with NBC News published Tuesday, CEO Ben Minicucci said company inspectors found loose bolts on “several” Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes after an accident this month, and he expressed anger over the incident.
United Airlines Holdings Inc. UAL,
The company, which also found loose bolts on Max 9 planes, said Tuesday it was reconsidering its long-term plans for Boeing's largest 737 Max plane, the Max 10, after ongoing problems with the Max 9.
“It's a great plane,” CFO Michael Leskinen said of the Max 10 during United's earnings call. “But we can't rely on him. So we're working on alternative plans.”
