The Federal Aviation Administration has advised carriers to check an older version of the 737 that employs similar door plugs to the grounded MAX 9
Boeing shares dipped slightly in early trading on Monday following an advisory issued by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that airlines inspect an older version of the Boeing 737 due to concerns over mid-exit door plugs. This follows a recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight where a door detached mid-air.
The FAA’s statement, called a ‘Safety Alert for Operators’, advocates visual inspections of the door plugs on Boeing 737-900ER aircraft for an “added layer of safety.” The 737-900ER, an older aircraft that does not belong to the MAX family, boasts 505 units in service both in the US and abroad, according to Boeing’s data, although it is primarily used by domestic carriers United Airlines, Alaska Airlines, and Delta Air Lines.
The FAA’s recommendation that the door plugs on Boeing 737-900ER jets be looked at was prompted by reports of unspecified bolt issues that had arisen during additional inspections conducted by some airlines in the wake of the MAX 9 incident.
Airlines are urged to promptly execute key portions of a fuselage plug assembly maintenance procedure related to the four bolts that secure the door plug to the airframe.
The US Federal Aviation Administration recommended airlines operating Boeing 737-900ER jets inspect door plugs to ensure they are properly secured after some operators reported unspecified issues with bolts upon inspections https://t.co/3TTd4ovZ7S pic.twitter.com/cVNP10g8CG
— Reuters (@Reuters) January 22, 2024
Boeing’s shares saw a 0.5% decline in early trading on Monday, contributing to a 17.5% drop since the start of the year. Although not part of the newer MAX fleet, the 737-900ER shares the same door plug design that enables the addition of an extra emergency exit door for increased seating.