Boeing denies releasing records on Alaska Airlines plane’s mid-air wall incident, claims government official
Boeing Refuses to Provide Information on Alaska Airlines Plane Incident
Boeing, the largest aircraft manufacturer in the U.S., is facing criticism for withholding crucial information about an Alaska Airlines plane that experienced a terrifying incident in January. During a Senate hearing, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that Boeing has refused to disclose the names of the team members responsible for a faulty door plug that blew off the plane mid-flight. Additionally, the company has not provided documentation regarding a repair job on the panel that caused the emergency landing.
Homendy expressed frustration, stating, “Boeing has not provided us with the documents and information that we have requested numerous times over the past few months. Without that information, concerns about quality assurance, quality management, and safety management systems arise.”
.@NTSB Chair @JenniferHomendy to @SenTedCruz: “Boeing has not provided us with the documents and information that we have requested numerous times over the past few months, specifically with respect to opening, closing, and removal of the door…it’s absurd…” pic.twitter.com/0AfbusPuss
— CSPAN (@cspan) March 6, 2024
Videos shared on social media captured the aftermath of the incident, showing passengers wearing oxygen masks until the plane landed safely. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the more than 170 passengers and six crew members onboard.
An Alaska Airlines flight was forced to make an emergency landing last night after a panel blew out shortly after takeoff. Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported.
The airline has temporarily grounded its fleet of Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft. pic.twitter.com/tgnGe8thrI
— Morning Brew ☕️ (@MorningBrew) January 6, 2024
An NTSB report revealed that four bolts crucial for securing the door plug were missing before the incident occurred. The report also highlighted that Boeing’s contractors had failed to properly install the bolts during a repair job. Senator Ted Cruz condemned Boeing’s lack of cooperation, calling it “utterly unacceptable” and emphasizing the importance of transparency in the investigation.
During the hearing, Cruz requested Homendy to provide written confirmation of Boeing’s cooperation by the following week. He also urged the NTSB to focus on examining the processes and protocols involved in approving fixes to commercial aircraft, rather than solely targeting individual workers.
Boeing responded to the allegations, stating that it has been proactive and transparent in supporting the NTSB investigation. The company claimed to have provided the names of relevant employees and the complete list of individuals involved in the door team. Regarding documentation, Boeing argued that if the door plug removal was undocumented, there would be no records to share.
Following a fleet inspection in late January, Alaska Airlines has resumed flying the Boeing 737 Max 9, while the Federal Aviation Administration temporarily grounded over 170 of these aircraft models.
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Overall, the incident has raised concerns about Boeing’s transparency and the safety management systems in place within the company.
In light of Boeing’s past safety issues, what steps should be taken to ensure accountability and transparency within the aviation industry
T.co/3HB30W4sXV”>pic.twitter.com/3HB30W4sXV
— Spectrum News (@SpecNews1SoCal) January 14, 2022
The incident occurred on January 13, 2022, when Alaska Airlines Flight 2611 departed from Los Angeles International Airport bound for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Shortly after takeoff, the panel in the ceiling of the plane’s cabin blew out, causing a sudden loss of cabin pressure and forcing the pilots to initiate an emergency landing. Passengers on board reported a chaotic scene as oxygen masks dropped and the plane descended rapidly.
Following the incident, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded its fleet of Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft as a precautionary measure. However, the airline and its passengers deserve to have a thorough understanding of what went wrong and what measures are being taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Boeing’s refusal to provide the requested information raises significant concerns about transparency and accountability. The NTSB has a responsibility to investigate accidents and incidents involving civil aviation in the United States and make recommendations to enhance safety. Without access to key information from Boeing, the NTSB’s ability to fulfill its mission is hindered.
This incident is not the first time Boeing has faced scrutiny over safety and transparency issues. In 2018, the company came under fire after two deadly crashes involving its 737 Max planes. Investigations into those crashes revealed failures in both the design and certification process of the aircraft. The incidents led to a worldwide grounding of the 737 Max fleet and highlighted the need for improved safety practices within the company.
Boeing’s lack of cooperation in this latest incident is troubling and undermines efforts to improve safety in the aviation industry. The company must be held accountable for its actions, and the NTSB, regulatory authorities, and lawmakers should press for the disclosure of the requested information. Transparency and cooperation are essential for maintaining public trust in the aircraft manufacturing industry.
Furthermore, the NTSB should consider conducting an independent investigation into the incident to ensure a thorough examination of all aspects of the event. This would help shed light on any potential systemic issues within Boeing and allow for the implementation of necessary corrective actions to prevent future accidents.
In conclusion, Boeing’s refusal to provide information on the Alaska Airlines plane incident raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and safety within the aviation industry. The NTSB and other relevant authorities must push for the disclosure of the requested information and consider conducting an independent investigation. The safety of passengers and the integrity of the industry depend on holding companies like Boeing accountable for their actions and ensuring that proper measures are in place to prevent future incidents.
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