On January 5, an Alaska Air 737 MAX 9 experienced an emergency-door plug blowout incident. To shed light on the situation, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released its preliminary report, providing important findings and context.
The Role of Door Plugs
Door plugs serve as emergency exits in specific plane configurations. Normally, they are secured in place by four bolts, along with other stoppers and fittings that prevent vertical movement. However, according to the NTSB report, the analysis reveals that the door plug had moved upward off the stop pads because the four bolts were missing.
A Nonconformance in Upkeep
This raises the question: how did the bolts go missing? When the fuselage section arrived at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Wash., where the MAX jets are assembled, five damaged rivets were discovered near the door plug. In order to repair these rivets, the door plug bolts were removed and the plug was opened.
Photographs provided by Boeing to the NTSB show that the bolts were missing from the door plug after the repair work had been completed.
Implications of Missing Bolts
If it is confirmed that the bolts were not replaced, it suggests that the cause of the accident can be attributed to a problem with the repair process rather than a flaw in the design or materials of the aircraft.
As Boeing investors and the flying public anxiously await further updates, it is clear that a meticulous investigation is underway to determine the exact circumstances surrounding this incident.
Boeing Faces Challenges Following Preliminary Report
An analysis of the preliminary report suggests that Boeing is neither positively nor negatively impacted. However, it does indicate the potential need for specific fixes to address a design problem. In addition to these fixes, other improvements such as enhanced initial quality, inspection, and repair processes are required.
The Door Plug Manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems
The report highlights that the door plug responsible for the issue was manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems. It is worth noting that this information is not new. Encouragingly, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) stated that the plug was manufactured in accordance with the engineering drawings.
As a result, Spirit Aero stock experienced a 4.8% increase in late trading, building on already positive fourth-quarter earnings.
Minimal Impact on Boeing Stock
Boeing’s stock saw minimal movement following the release of the report. It experienced a 1.1% gain, reaching almost $209 in late trading, while the S&P 500 recorded a 0.1% increase. This reaction can be interpreted as sensible given the ongoing concerns surrounding MAX production, quality control, and regulatory oversight. As a consequence, Boeing’s stock has faced a considerable decline since the MAX 9 accident, dropping from $249.
Boeing’s Accountability and Commitment to Improvement
Regardless of the final conclusions drawn from the investigation, Boeing acknowledges its accountability for the incident. CEO Dave Calhoun and Boeing Commercial Airplanes divisional CEO Stan Deal expressed this sentiment in a joint statement: “An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory.” They further emphasized their commitment to better serve customers and passengers, outlining a comprehensive plan aimed at strengthening quality and restoring stakeholders’ confidence. The company recognizes that it must take significant and transparent action to address these challenges effectively.
In light of these developments, industry observers will closely monitor Boeing’s progress in implementing their plan and restoring faith in the brand.
