Following yesterday’s incident, we’re left wondering once again how we feel flying the 737 MAX to Hawaii. While we were sure (with good reason or not) that the MAX problems were behind us and we had flown them many times without any issues, perhaps that isn’t yet true.
The issue with the Alaska Airlines MAX 9 is likely to be that of the manufacturer (Boeing) and how the modification was performed to the emergency exit door to convert it into a window. That option was chosen by Alaska, United, and some other airlines, as the extra emergency exit was deemed unnecessary in a lower-density aircraft configuration.
We wondered last night if there would be yet another grounding across some or all airlines or if the problem would be contained at Alaska. It seemed unlikely that it would end with Alaska Airlines from what is currently known in the early stages of the investigation. And then, just now we learned that United Airlines will follow suit, according to MSNBC, and ground their fleet of 79 MAX 9 aircraft.
Then, the FAA order was announced that will temporarily ground most MAX 9 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines. The inspections are said to take some four to eight hours per aircraft and will impact 171 planes worldwide. An Emergency Airworthiness Directive from the FAA is imminent.
“The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight. Safety will continue to drive our decision-making as we assist the NTSB’s investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.”
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker
United is the only other US airline that flies MAX 9. They fly these to Hawaii.
The remainder of the planes, other than United and Alaska, are owned and flown in other countries. It is believed that all of the 79 United 737 MAX 9 planes have had the same modification that appeared to have failed in yesterday’s Alaska incident.
Unrelated, another MAX variant, the MAX 8, had an emergency landing yesterday. A United flight to Denver had engine problems late Friday. United only said it “returned to Cleveland to address a mechanical issue.”
We noted that a United Airlines 737 MAX 9 flew from San Francisco to Maui last night, and another is scheduled to fly that route this afternoon. We’ll watch for that plane type to be changed before flight time due to these announcements.
737 MAX fuselage prior issues.
The MAX fuselages are built by Spirit AeroSystems. Previously, as reported last summer, a flaw was found wherein some fastener holes were “elongated.” That issue and its resolution may have resulted in a temporary downturn in MAX deliveries later in 2023.
Earlier in 2023, Boeing warned about production delays for MAX planes, specifically due to fuselage issues associated with Spirit AeroSystems. At that time, Boeing said that Spirit AeroSystems used a “non-standard manufacturing process” during installation. Boeing said, however, that the problem did not present a safety urgency and that, at the time, MAX planes “can continue operating safely.”
I tried to find out if my upcoming Alaska flight was this model and Alaska won’t even let you view your reservation on line and requires that you call. I can only imagine what the time would be. I hope they will let us into our reservations very soon.
Hi Nancy.
They are inspecting those planes and getting them back in service today, more quickly then we would have thought. That is the model we see flying that route frequently.
Aloha.
Aloha Jeff and Rob! This plug covered up an emergency exit.
The Japanese A350 that crashed recently, had 379 passengers, it took 18 minutes to evacuate. Maybe we need some realistic, evacuation test times.
One report, from what I consider to be reliable explained that the reason the JAL A350 took so long to evacuate is that the flight attendants were waiting for the order to evacuate to come from the flight crew. Apparently the pilot and first officer were busy with the emergency shutdown list, and did not think to check with the cabin crew. They were having an issue getting the #2 engine, the right side, shut down which can be seen in some videos. None of the FAs would take the initiative to call the cockpit and tell them the plane was burning!
I believe that Southwest Airlines also flies the dreaded Boeing Max airplanes.
Hi Donna.
They do not fly that variant of MAX.
Aloha.
It was a modification done by airlines to make more money. Taking away an emergency exit isn’t the brightest idea (you need to exit in an emergency in under 2 minutes) And not having the manufacturer make those changes isn’t smart. Alaska just got lucky!
I read that the extra emergency exit was put there by Boeing on all MAX planes for the airlines that want to cram more rows of seats than Alaska has. It is a FAA regulation for Ryan Air for example with a lot more rows to use this emergency exit.
Just the opposite of cramming in more seats, airlines can choose to have fewer seats on an aircraft and this is what Alaska and apparently United have both done. The seating instead of being the maximum 222 seats on a Max-9 was limited to 179 seats.
Hi Folks,
Haven’t been around lately due to health issues. Can barely lie in my bed and send this. Those “elongated holes” are a major flaw. I remember my company dealing with a similar product issue and we had to enlarge the hole to make it round again and install a Much bigger rivet.
Not sure how that works with jet bodies, but might I remind you of the “O ring seal” that took down the Space Shuttle Challenger!
Not something to be taken lightly!
Hi MJ.
Thanks. Good to hear from you and we hope that you’re feeling better soon!
Aloha.
I specifically avoid these aircraft when booking flights for several reasons – just add this latest one to the list. I’m retired from the aerospace industry and am keenly aware of the implications “non standard” processes may have on flight safety.
Best Regards.