Boeing

National

The FAA lays out a path for Boeing 737 Max 9 to fly again, but new concerns surface

9:22pm January 24, 2024

by Joel Rose

While the Federal Aviation Administration says the grounded 737 Max 9 aircraft can resume flying after inspections, the agency imposed sweeping jet production restrictions at Boeing factories.

Alaska Airlines N704AL, a Boeing 737 Max 9, which made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport on January 5 is parked at a maintenance hanger in Portland, Ore. on January 23, 2024. One of two door plugs on the emergency exit door blew out shortly after the plane took off from Portland.

National

Boeing's quality control draws criticism as a whistleblower alleges lapses at factory

5:01pm January 24, 2024

by Joel Rose

Concerns over quality control at Boeing's factory are mounting after this month's door plug blowout on a 737 Max 9. New revelations from an alleged whistleblower suggest Boeing could be at fault.

A United Airlines Boeing 737-900ER arrives at Los Angeles International Airport in 2019.

National

The FAA says airlines should check the door plugs on another model of Boeing plane

3:41pm January 22, 2024

by Joel Rose

The Federal Aviation Administration is recommending that airlines visually inspect the door plugs of Boeing 737-900ER jets after some airlines reported unspecified issues with the bolts.

Then-President Barack Obama walks down the stairs of a Boeing 787 Dreamliner at the company's production facility in Everett, Wash., in 2012.

'Cozy' relationship between Boeing and the U.S. draws scrutiny amid 737 Max 9 mess

3:03pm January 19, 2024

by Joel Rose

The latest safety lapse at Boeing renews concerns about the company's influence in Washington and whether federal regulators have delegated too much of their oversight authority to its employees.

Queue Listen Now

This image taken from video provided by Melanie Adaros shows what she said were sparks shooting from a cargo plane before it made an emergency landing at Miami International Airport on Thursday.

National

Boeing 747 cargo plane with reported engine trouble makes emergency landing in Miami

10:44am January 19, 2024

by The Associated Press

A plane flown by Atlas Air experienced an engine malfunction and made an emergency landing at Miami International Airport shortly after takeoff. A witness said she saw sparks shooting from the plane.

the Federal Aviation Administration has grounded 171 of the 737 Max 9 planes in the United States, as it conducts an audit of the Boeing's production line. FAA officials have said the regulator is considering adding an independent third-party inspector to oversee Boeing inspections and quality.

National

Amid scrutiny, Boeing promises more quality checks. But is it enough?

5:02am January 17, 2024

by Vanessa Romo

The aircraft maker is under renewed pressure to strengthen quality management across its production lines. But critics say a fundamental cultural shift is needed.

The door plug area of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft, seen with the paneling removed, awaits inspection Wednesday at the airline's facilities at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in SeaTac, Wash.

National

The FAA is tightening oversight of Boeing and will audit production of the 737 Max 9

3:11pm January 12, 2024

by Joel Rose

Regulators say they're increasing control of Boeing production after a panel blew off a 737 Max 9 jet, and will re-examine whether the company can be trusted to assess the safety of its own planes.

Queue Listen Now

A plastic sheet covers part of the fuselage of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 at Portland International Airport on Jan. 8. NTSB investigators are trying to learn why the aircraft suffered a midair fuselage blowout last Friday.

National

A recent lawsuit alleges 'excessive' defects at Boeing parts supplier

11:14am January 12, 2024

by Bill Chappell

The lawsuit doesn't specifically mention door plug systems like the one that failed last week. But it adds to the scrutiny of Spirit AeroSystems, which has been linked to other problems.

Alaska Airlines N704AL, a 737 Max 9 which made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a part of the fuselage broke off mid-flight on Friday, is parked at a maintenance hanger in Portland, Ore., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2024.

National

Alaska Airlines cancels all flights on the Boeing 737 Max 9 through Saturday

1:08am January 11, 2024

by The Associated Press

The airline said that it would cancel 110 to 150 flights a day while the Max 9 planes remain grounded, as signs indicate some travelers may at least temporarily try to avoid flying on Max 9 jetliners.

This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows a gaping hole where the paneled-over door had been at the fuselage plug area of an Alaska Airlines flight in Portland, Ore. A panel used to plug an area reserved for an exit door on the Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner blew out Jan. 5, forcing the plane to return to Portland International Airport.

National

Before a door plug flew off a Boeing plane, an advisory light came on 3 times

3:07pm January 08, 2024

by Ayana Archie

The auto pressurization light came on during three recent flights involving the same plane, the National Transportation Safety Board said. Some plane components are being sent to an NTSB lab.