National Transportation Safety Board Releases Preliminary Report on Boeing 737 Max 9 Door Plug Incident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has recently published its preliminary report regarding the incident where a door plug blew out of a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft at 16,000 feet over Portland, Oregon. The report confirms the severity of the situation, revealing that the four bolts intended to secure the plug vertically were missing. According to Reuters, these bolts were removed by Spirit Aerosystems engineers to access and replace damaged rivets.

Details of the Incident

The incident involving the Boeing 737 Max 9 occurred last month and raised concerns about the safety of these aircraft models. The NTSB’s preliminary report sheds light on the cause of the door plug blowout, attributing it to the absence of the four bolts that were supposed to hold the plug in place.

Implications and Findings

The missing bolts highlight a factory error that could have resulted in a dangerous situation. The NTSB report emphasizes the importance of proper installation and maintenance procedures to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members. This incident serves as a reminder of the critical role that thorough inspections and adherence to safety protocols play in aviation.

For more information on the NTSB’s preliminary report and the details surrounding the Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug incident, please click here.