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NTSB report: Bolts were missing on door plug that blew out mid-flight
The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary report on the Alaska Airlines flight accident revealed the bolts were missing from the door plug which blew out mid-flight.
The door plug is normally secured with four bolts which keep it from moving vertically.
These were all missing, the report concluded.
The door blew off an Alaska Airlines Max 9 flight in early January.
The scary accident led to a temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes for ‘immediate inspections.’
Subsequent inspections have found several planes missing the bolts.
The report said: “Four bolts that prevent upward movement of the MED plug were missing before the MED plug moved upward off the stop pads.”
The Alaska Airlines flight had just taken off when the door plug blew off at about 16,000 ft, causing cabin decompression.
It was carrying 174 passengers and six crew members.
“The captain said that, while climbing through about 16,000 ft, there was a loud bang,” the NTSB report stated.
“Both pilots said they immediately donned their oxygen masks. They added that the flight deck door was blown open and that it was very noisy and difficult to communicate.”
The FAA is also conducting an investigation into Boeing’s assembly and quality checks on the 737 Max 9 aircraft production line.
“This incident should have never happened and it cannot happen again,” the FAA said.
“The FAA is continuing to support the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.”
Boeing said it is reviewing the NTSB’s findings.
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TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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