FAA expands Boeing probe, including subcontractor, after Alaska Airlines blowout

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding its investigation into Boeing Co., which began earlier this month in the wake of the mid-air explosion of a 737 Max 9 jet.

“After taking decisive action to ground 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft, the FAA is now investigating Boeing's manufacturing practices and production lines, including its subcontractor Spirit Aerosystems, and is increasing its oversight of Boeing. “We are strengthening the system and considering possible changes to the system,” the bureau said.in statement Wednesday.

On January 5, an Alaska Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California experienced an “explosive depressurization” that caused a panel blocking an unused emergency exit door to blow off mid-flight.

The FAA last week launched an investigation into whether Boeing failed to ensure its planes complied with the agency's safety regulations.

The FAA announced last week that it would increase oversight of Boeing's production, including auditing Boeing's production.

In a statement, the FAA said it was conducting “an audit of the Boeing 737-9 MAX production line and its suppliers to assess Boeing's compliance with approved quality procedures.”

“The grounding of the 737-9 and production-related issues identified in recent years require us to consider all options to reduce risk,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement.

“The FAA is considering the use of an independent third party to oversee Boeing's inspection and quality systems,” Whitaker said in a statement.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun said the company will “fully and transparently cooperate” with the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board investigations.

“We are going to address this, first and foremost, by admitting our mistakes with 100 percent and complete transparency every step of the way,” Calhoun told employees.