NTSB Investigates Alaska Airlines 737 MAX Incident

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating a cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. The hearing will focus on manufacturing and safety management. The incident has led to significant repercussions for Boeing, including grounding of aircraft, executive departures, and financial penalties.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board on Tuesday began questioning key witnesses from Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and the Federal Aviation Administration regarding the mid-air cabin panel blowout incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January. During the start of the two-day investigative hearing, the board released 3,800 pages of factual reports and interviews.

The incident severely damaged Boeing's reputation, resulting in the grounding of the MAX 9 for two weeks, production restrictions by the FAA, a criminal investigation, and the resignation of several executives. Boeing has committed to making quality improvements, with senior vice president for quality, Elizabeth Lund, and Doug Ackerman, vice president of supplier quality, set to testify during the 20-hour hearings.

The hearing will address issues such as 737 manufacturing and inspections, safety management, FAA oversight, and the door plug malfunction. Additionally, in the wake of the incident, Boeing agreed to repurchase Spirit AeroSystems for $4.7 billion. Concerns about systemic procedural deviations and inadequate FAA oversight have also emerged during the investigation.

(With inputs from agencies.)