NTSB Investigates Alaska Airlines Incident: Boeing 737 MAX 9 Door Plug Detachment

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported uncertainty regarding the proper attachment of a recovered cabin panel that detached from an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 mid-flight last week.

Alaska and United Airlines found loose parts on grounded 737 MAX 9 aircraft, prompting new concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing processes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 MAX 9 planes after the incident. The detached panel, identified as a door plug, was discovered in a Portland backyard. NTSB engineers are still investigating the existence of the restraining bolts and the integrity of the fastening components.