A recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 has brought Boeing under scrutiny once again. On January 5, the aircraft made an emergency landing in Portland after a door plug blew out shortly after departure. This incident has raised concerns about Boeing’s quality control and has further damaged the trust of the flying public in the manufacturer.
Boeing has been facing challenges in recent years, including a widening gap in market share with its European competitor Airbus. Analysts and former employees attribute this decline to various factors, such as poor quality control and a focus on securing profits. The company’s culture, which has created a divide between management and employees on the factory floor, is also seen as a contributing factor.
The incident on Flight AS1282, which was operating between Portland and Ontario, raised alarms about the safety of Boeing’s 737 MAX series. Fortunately, all passengers and crew on board escaped safely, but the potential consequences could have been much worse if the blowout had occurred at a higher altitude.
In response to the incident, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded its fleet of 65 737-9s, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) grounding 171 737-9s across multiple airlines for inspections and maintenance. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has also launched an investigation to determine the cause of the door plug blowout.
The discovery of loose bolts in the inspection by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines further added to Boeing’s troubles. Boeing’s CEO, Dave Calhoun, acknowledged mistakes made by the manufacturer and described the incident as a “quality escape.” The FAA subsequently launched a formal investigation into Boeing’s production practices, raising concerns about whether the company has met safety standards in the past.
Alaska Airlines announced a thorough review of Boeing’s quality and control systems, becoming the first airline to take such action. The company’s quality drop has been attributed to a race to compete with Airbus, a lack of understanding from senior executives, and a focus on profits and stock market performance.
Boeing has announced a five-point plan to improve quality, including increased inspections, additional training sessions, and outside oversight inspections. However, critics argue that these changes are superficial and that a cultural adjustment is needed to truly address the underlying issues.
The return to service of the grounded 737-9s remains uncertain, as the FAA prioritizes safety over speed. Boeing will also face questions about how quality escapes continue to affect their aircraft. The company’s reputation rebuilding efforts in 2024 have been overshadowed by these recent troubles.
Furthermore, the FAA’s recommendation to visually inspect the mid-exit door plugs on Boeing 737-900ER aircraft has added to Boeing’s challenges. The certification of the remaining variants of the 737 MAX series and the entry into service of the new long-haul 777X may face delays as Boeing focuses on addressing these issues.
Boeing’s future remains uncertain as it works to regain trust from airline customers, the flying public, and industry observers. Without significant cultural changes and a focus on technical expertise, the company may continue to face crises and struggle to restore confidence in its products.
