For Alaska, this took the form of a 12-hour process for each individual plane, the airline said in a news release. First, each door plug was inspected to see if it was originally installed correctly by checking that all of the hardware was in the proper place and that all the measurements were correctly aligned. Then, the door plugs were opened to check for any damage or issues to the hardware holding them in place, including the door and seal components, roller guides, hinges, and guide fittings, as well as the nut plates and fasteners. Finally, they were each resealed under FAA guidelines, according to the airline.
Over at United, a similar inspection process was followed. According to an internal memo from United COO Toby Enqvist, technicians removed an inner panel, sidewall liner, and two rows of seats to inspect the door, seals, frame, and hardware of each door plug, repairing any abnormalities along the way. For both airlines, detailed logging of every measurement was made, according to the required standards.
During initial inspections of the door plugs, both airlines said their technicians reported loose bolts. A National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) probe is currently investigating whether the door plug that fell off Flight 1282 had bolts that were installed incorrectly or if they were missing entirely.
The careful inspection process should quell any concerns from travelers nervous to fly on the Max 9s, Leff tells Traveler, adding that the NTSB investigation will address any long-term concerns, such as if the bolts in question become loosened over time.
Actions Boeing is taking
While the FAA has approved the Max 9s to return to service, it has banned Boeing from expanding 737 production going forward, capping it at current levels. This includes the Max 8, one of Boeing’s most popular aircrafts.
On its part, Boeing is taking immediate actions to strengthen quality assurance and controls across its factories, the manufacturer’s CEO Stan Deal said in a message to employees. On January 25, Boeing paused manufacturing at the 737 factory in Renton, Washington in order to provide a full-day working session focused on quality and safety for its approximate 10,000 workers.
“Our long-term focus is on improving our quality so that we can regain the confidence of our customers, our regulator and the flying public. Frankly, we have disappointed and let them down,” Deal said. “We have to be better. We have to deliver perfect airplanes each and every time.”
Despite a round of worrisome press—and even pop culture fodder with a Saturday Night Live sketch—Leff explains that travelers with flights scheduled on the Max 9s should feel confident in the aircraft’s safe return to the skies. “There’s no reason to be concerned about door plugs on 737 Max 9s right now,” he says. “They have all been inspected.”
