Safety First Air Accidents and Incidents discussions

[Kevin Farnell]

If that is the case then it won't be long before all the Mad Max's are grounded again...We are out of LBA tomorrow with RYR so just hope it's the good old fashioned 800NG we have as a ride down to FUE

It's showing on FR24 as a '73H', which is a 737-800NG. Have a great holiday.

 

[KARFA]

Only Max 9s have these plug doors.

All you ever wanted to know about plug doors on the Max

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Only Max 9s have these plug doors.

All you ever wanted to know about plug doors on the Max

Fascinating. I'd assumed that all the designs would have been the same, so was unsure why the 737-MAX8 and the 737-900NG were not included in the inspection requirement. The only thing I had noticed, from photographs were that the doors on the Ryanair B737-MAX8's had small porthole windows while the plug doors on the Alaska aircraft had full sized cabin windows.

 

[David_itl]

and United have said they found "loose bolts" in 5 of their MAX 9s https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67919436

 

[Kevin Farnell]

and United have said they found "loose bolts" in 5 of their MAX 9s https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67919436

Ive just been reading this and was about to post it. It's breaking news, so I would expect more info to follow. Brings up questions about Boeing's quality control.

 

[David_itl]

May be more apt to say they have a "lack of quality control" department. You have to start wondering what other issues will come to the fore.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

May be more apt to say they have a "lack of quality control" department. You have to start wondering what other issues will come to the fore.

There have been issues with the B787 and the B777X is taking much longer to certify than was expected. Hopefully, Boeing can get back to the great aircraft manufacturer that it used to be and regain the public's confidence (although that may take some time).

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Both Alaska and United Airlines are now reporting finding loose fittings on some of the plug doors of their B737-Max9's. Alaska Airlines stating 'loose hardware' and United saying 'bolts that need tightening'. After all that Boeing have gone through over the last few years, this doesn't instil confidence.

Boeing 737 Max 9: Two airlines find loose hardware in jet inspections

Both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines find loose hardware on jets after Friday's blow-out over Oregon.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Boeing hold back more information from airlines/flight crew.
According to the NTSB, Boeing hid information from operators that the flight deck door of the b737-MAX9 would open in the event of a rapid decompression.

I don't know if this differs from other B737 series.

 

[Len Fish]

The 737 Max fuselage manufacture is sub-contracted by Boeing to Spirit Aero Systems. There have been numerous problems with the quality of the fuselages delivered including defective fittings that link the vertical fin to the rear fuselage, improperly drilled holes on the rear pressure bulkhead and now loose, incorrectly tightened bolts. Ultimately it’s Boeing’s responsibility to ensure their partners supply parts to specification and fit for purpose and both they and Spirit Aero need to get a grip on quality control before these manufacturing failings lead to tragic consequences.

 

[rollo]

Ailrlines buy the aircraft from Boeing therefore the ultimate responsibility is with them. If they have claim against Spirit they have to sort it between themselves. Boeing pay the airlines/passengers any compensation due.

In the case of the door plug Spirit deliver the fuselage with the door plug temporarily fixed as Boeing remove it when fitting out the interior then replace and engineer(s) sign off the door plug as fitted to spec.

Boeing are in a complete mess accross the range of civil aircraft a situation slowly arising with the move of the head office to Chicago coinciding with engineering loosing its pre-eminence in the company to the beancounters.

Jet2 must be counting their lucky stars they got the last of the 737-800s then switched to Airbus and ditto EasyJet who switched some years back.

 

[Deleted member 8277]

Alaska Max 9

Credit: Juan Brown and the Blancolitio channel

A very good assessment so far.

 

[DarloPlaneBoy]

It doesn't install confidence in the MAX series does any UK Airline have the MAX9 on order. And could the MAX10 now take longer to be certified as Surely Boeing would want to make sure it is absolutely faultless. I believe TUI have the MAX10 on order

 

[Kevin Farnell]

Alaska Max 9

A very good assessment so far.

Please credit Juan Brown and the Blancolitio channel.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

According to the BBC, the FAA have now said that the Boeing 737-900ER also requires checks on the plug door, as it is the same design as that used on the B737-MAX9.

Boeing 737-900ER: Second model to be inspected after 737 Max 9 blowout

The US regulator says the 737-900ER fleet uses the same door design as the grounded 737 Max 9s.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Kevin Farnell]

NTSB release preliminary report into the B737-MAX9 plug door loss.
It doesn't look good for Boeing quality control.

Boeing: Bolts missing from door, says blowout report

A door that blew away from a Boeing 737 Max may not have been properly secured, a new report says.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Aviador]

Outsource contracts inevitably leads to cost cutting and the potential risk of reduced standards. It isn't just Boeing that is doing this practice but it needs to stop. If you buy a Mercedes and find out the parts are made by Ford you wouldn't be happy.

 

[KARFA]

well, except it seems to be Boeing who didn't replace the bolts, not Spirit - admittedly the work Boeing was doing was a result of a defect caused by Spirit.

 

[Kevin Farnell]

I've seen it mentioned on some reports, that Boeing actually own Spirit. Not sure if that's the case.

 

[rollo]

I've seen it mentioned on some reports, that Boeing actually own Spirit. Not sure if that's the case.

Boeing do not own Spirit but there is a historical connection. They sold their Wichita plant to Onex a venture capital company in 2005 who offloaded it to Spirit Holdings Inc. the following year who are the current owners with a controlling shareholding with 96% of voting rights.

The original factory was formed in the 1920s by Stearman Aircraft on the current site and eventually ended up owned by Boeing before they in turn disposed of It to Onex.