NTSB Gives Update On Investigation
On January 5, an Alaska Airlines plane flying from Portland, Oregon experienced a door plug failure at 16,000 feet, leading to a depressurized cabin and causing the flight to return safely to the airport.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been investigating the incident to determine the cause and potential contributing factors to this safety failure. In a recent letter addressed to U.S. senators, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737 Max 9 aircraft involved, has been unable to provide documentation of repairs that were conducted on the plane just months before the incident.
According to Homendy, the NTSB first requested information from Boeing regarding the repairs on January 9, just days after the door plug failure. However, Boeing has stated that they are unable to find records of the work being performed. Furthermore, they have also stated that any security camera footage that may have captured the repairs has been overwritten, making it difficult for the NTSB to gather relevant information for their investigation.
Without proper documentation and access to security footage, the NTSB's investigation into the repairs conducted by Boeing employees in September has been hindered. Homendy mentioned that the absence of these records may complicate the investigation moving forward, as the NTSB still does not know who performed the repairs on the faulty door plug. Additionally, when contacted for comment, Boeing has stated that they do not have records of the employees who performed the work.
In response to the NTSB's request for information, Boeing provided a list of employees who reported to the door crew manager at the time of the repairs. However, they did not provide the names of the employees who conducted the work. In a call between Homendy and Boeing CEO David Calhoun, the CEO stated that he was unable to provide this information, adding to the NTSB's difficulty in identifying the workers responsible for the repairs.
In the midst of the NTSB's ongoing investigation, new information has emerged regarding the plane's maintenance plan leading up to the incident. According to a report by the New York Times, the day before the blowout, some engineers and technicians at Alaska Airlines had become concerned over a warning light related to the plane's pressurization system.
However, the airline decided to continue flying the plane and scheduled a maintenance check for the night of January 5. In response to these reports, Alaska Airlines stated that the warning did not require the plane to be taken out of service and that its maintenance plan was in line with all processes and procedures.
The incident has raised concerns over Boeing's safety measures, as the manufacturer is still recovering from the grounding of the 737 Max jet after two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The NTSB's investigation into the door plug failure has brought to light potential issues with documentation and record-keeping within the company. As the investigation continues, it is important for all parties involved to be transparent and cooperate in order to ensure the safety of passengers and prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Boeing has stated that they will continue to support the investigation in a transparent and proactive manner. They have also mentioned that they have complied with all rules regarding the release of investigative information, as the company continues to face intense scrutiny from stakeholders, including employees and customers. The company has also clarified that its security footage is regularly overwritten on a rolling 30-day basis, which is consistent with standard practice.
In the aftermath of this incident, it is clear that there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the repairs conducted on the 737 Max 9 aircraft. As the NTSB continues to gather information and conduct its investigation, it is crucial for all parties involved to work together to ensure that the safety of passengers remains the top priority.