Boeing faces fresh scrutiny after Alaska Airlines incident – Here’s what has happened so far

As a precautionary measure, Alaska Airlines grounded its entire fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. (Image/AP)

Amid concerns over safety, Boeing faces fresh scrutiny following an alarming incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max aircraft that left a gaping hole in its fuselage during a flight from Portland to Ontario, California. Federal officials announced the temporary grounding of some Boeing 737 Max planes in response to the alarming incident that unfolded in the sky.

Flight 1282, carrying 171 passengers and six flight crew members, experienced a catastrophic event shortly after takeoff, resulting in a window and a portion of the plane’s fuselage blowing out. Although passengers reported a sudden rush of air and minor injuries, fortunately, there were no serious casualties. As a precautionary measure, Alaska Airlines grounded its entire fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft.

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Boeing’s recent manufacturing challenges, including issues related to drilling holes and inspections of the rudder control system, have raised concerns about the safety of their planes. Notably, the 737 Max series faced global grounding after two crashes in 2018 and 2019 claimed 346 lives.

Here are the top updates regarding the incident:

• Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci announced the grounding of the carrier’s entire fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Each plane will undergo comprehensive maintenance and safety inspections, expected to be completed in a few days

• Boeing confirmed awareness of the incident and pledged cooperation with the ongoing investigation. The company’s technical team stands ready to support the probe

• The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a temporary grounding and inspection order for certain Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft globally, affecting approximately 171 planes

• United Airlines, another major operator of this model, initiated inspections following the FAA’s directive. United reported the completion of inspections on 33 out of 79 Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft, canceling 60 flights on Saturday. Aeromexico and Icelandair also took measures as per the FAA’s directive

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• The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India ordered immediate one-time inspections of emergency exits on all Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft operated by Indian airlines. China’s aviation regulator convened an emergency meeting to discuss potential actions, considering grounding the Boeing Max fleet in the country

• FlyDubai and Aeromexico stated that their aircraft have different cabin configurations than the model involved in the Alaska Airlines incident. Boeing expressed support for the FAA’s decision while collaborating closely with regulators and customers

The temporary grounding has affected flight operations, leading to thousands of passenger disruptions and cancellations. Each inspection is estimated to take between four to eight hours.

(With inputs from agencies)