How do four tiny bolts ground an entire fleet of planes? The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) just dropped its answer, revealing that missing fasteners caused January’s dramatic Alaska Airlines door plug incident—a wake-up call for aviation safety. 🌍✈️
Investigators say photos show Spirit AeroSystems technicians at Boeing’s Washington factory didn’t reinstall bolts after fixing damaged rivets last September. The oversight let the door panel rip off mid-flight at 16,000 feet, forcing emergency landings and a 19-day grounding of all 737 Max 9s. Yikes! 😱
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted the company “must do better,” announcing factory audits, upgraded quality checks, and even inviting airline clients to inspect production lines. “We’re owning this,” he said, signaling a major push to rebuild trust. 💼🔍
While no injuries occurred, the incident has turbocharged scrutiny on Boeing’s manufacturing processes. With the FAA now auditing its factories, aviation fans worldwide are watching: Can the aerospace giant bolt its reputation back together? 🛠️✨
