NTSB Criticizes Boeing and FAA Over Avoidable Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 Incident

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) criticized Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for an avoidable mid-air emergency involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9. The NTSB highlighted past knowledge of unauthorized production work, missing bolts, and inadequate oversight, stressing the need for significant manufacturing and quality improvements.

The head of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) offered strong criticism of both Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) during a hearing on Wednesday. The focus was an avoidable mid-air emergency involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that unauthorized production work was a known issue for years that was never properly addressed by Boeing. 'This accident should have never happened,' Homendy stated, emphasizing that numerous Boeing and FAA audits failed to catch the problem. She added there are no guarantees similar issues wouldn't reoccur.

Boeing created no documentation for the removal and re-installation of a door plug during production, leading to its delivery with four missing bolts. Homendy said oversight from the FAA has been too lenient, focusing more on paperwork than inspections. The incident has resulted in the FAA limiting Boeing's production and requiring extensive quality control improvements.

(With inputs from agencies.)