United Airlines and Alaska Airlines have discovered loose bolts and what the former terms other ‘installation issues’ as they commence preliminary inspections of their 737 MAX 9 fleets.
The American carriers’ MAX 9 aircraft were grounded following an emergency airworthiness directive (EAD) issued by the FAA, after the dramatic loss of a door plug aboard an Alaskan Airlines flight caused a sudden decompression of the cabin just minutes into the flight.
“The next step for carrying out the FAA’s [EAD] is for Boeing to issue a multi-operator message,” confirmed United, adding that “while those steps are being completed… we’ve begun steps such as removing the inner panel to access the emergency door, and begun preliminary inspections while awaiting final instructions”. Boeing has since issued a multi-operator message (MOM), detailing how airlines can proceed with completing and certifying the requisite inspections.
However, the Air Current reports that an industry source has claimed that loose bolts and other parts have been found on at least five of United’s grounded aircraft. The airline later confirmed that they have “found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug – for example, bolts that needed additional tightening”.
Alaska Airlines also reported similar issues, writing that as maintenance technicians began preparing the 737-MAX 9 fleet for preliminary inspections, “initial reports from [their] technicians indicate some loose hardware was visible on the aircraft”.
“Any findings will be fully addressed in a matter that satisfied our safety standards and FAA compliance. The formal inspections will also require documenting all findings and those will be reported to the FAA. No aircraft will be returned to service until all of these steps are complete,” elaborated Alaska.
Turkish Airlines also confirmed to Airline Economics that it has ‘requested a precautionary examination of the five Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft in its fleet as a result of preliminary investigation of the authorities’.
“Until the technical investigation process is completed and the measures requested by the authorities are implemented, Turkish Airlines has decided to withdraw [these aircraft]… from operation at the first airport they land at,” explained senior vice president for media relations, Yahya Ustun.