Federal Aviation Administration on Sunday issued A new safety alert recommends airlines inspect door plugs on Boeing's second jet, the 737-900ER.
The FAA has pointed out that the Boeing 737-900ER aircraft uses “the same door plug design as the 737-9 MAX,” and a panel came off after Alaska Airlines took off, leaving a large hole in the side of the aircraft. An investigation was conducted. And an emergency landing.
The FAA then grounded approximately 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes so they could be inspected.
The FAA on Sunday recommended that airlines inspect bolts on 737-900ER aircraft, stating, “Some operators may conduct additional inspections of 737-900ER mid-exit door plugs and find bolts during maintenance inspections. “I pointed out that.”
Specifically, the FAA recommended a “visual inspection to ensure door plug movement is restrained by the two upper guide track bolts and the two lower arrester bolts.”
The FAA also recommended that airlines perform fuselage plug maintenance work as soon as possible “involving the four locations where bolt/nut/pin attachments are used to secure the door to the fuselage.”
“The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to evaluate data regarding the center cabin door plug and will determine additional actions as appropriate,” the FAA said in its advisory.
“We fully support the FAA and our customers in this action,” a Boeing spokesperson said in an email.
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