At least 40 Boeing 737 Max 9 jets have been examined so far in the Biden administration's investigation into the plane, officials said, after the plane lost part of its fuselage mid-flight earlier this month and was forced to make an emergency landing. announced on Wednesday.
Representatives from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) told the Senate Commerce Committee that they will review information collected from the jet, all identical to the plane used on the Alaska Airlines flight that caused the explosion. He said he plans to do so. Airplane for passenger flights.
The agency confirmed the number in an emailed statement.
“All 737-9 MAX aircraft with door plugs will remain grounded until the FAA reviews and ultimately approves an inspection and maintenance process that meets all safety requirements,” the agency wrote. . “If the FAA approves the inspection and maintenance process, it will be mandatory for all 737-9 MAX aircraft on the ground prior to future service.”
“The schedule for returning these aircraft to service will be determined by the safety of the flying public, not by speed,” they added.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker briefed board members in a two-hour closed session Wednesday on the latest developments in the federal investigation stemming from the incident.
Officials said the investigation was still in its early stages, according to the Associated Press.
“There was no word on penalties or enforcement, but I have no doubt that there will be consequences once the final results are in,” Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Ky.) told The Associated Press after the meeting.
Moran added that the FAA “will focus on the challenges that Boeing has faced for a long time, and this accident, this potential disaster, is just one element of that.”
The agency announced earlier this week that it would expand its investigation to include examining Boeing's manufacturing practices and production lines. While the NTSB investigates the midair accident, the FAA's investigation focuses on whether Boeing followed standard quality control measures.
According to the Associated Press, Homendy said the NTSB will investigate how Spirit AeroSystems built the aircraft and how the panels were installed on Alaska Airlines' planes.
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines are the only airlines using the Boeing 737 Max 9, but both have been grounded as investigations continue. Passengers filed two separate lawsuits against the airline and manufacturer, citing “trauma” and “suffering.”
The Hill has reached out to Alaska Airlines and United Airlines for comment.
The Associated Press contributed.
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