The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration has placed limits on the production of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 after a window blowout occurred during flight. This action came as part of ongoing regulatory oversight of the model and reflects heightened safety scrutiny applied to the MAX program.
The FAA stated that it will not authorize any expansion of MAX production, including the 737-9 MAX variant, until deeper checks are completed and the regulator is satisfied with the results. The agency signaled that this pause will continue to ensure that all safety concerns linked to the model are resolved before more aircraft are built and delivered.
Officials also announced that 171 of the temporarily grounded 737 MAX 9 aircraft could return to service following a comprehensive inspection plan. The process focuses on critical components such as bolts, guide rails, and fittings, along with a thorough visual scan of the left and right mid-cabin exit door plugs. Inspectors will verify fasteners and related hardware to confirm there are no hidden faults that could affect airworthiness.
Alaska Airlines has commented on the ongoing investigation into the incident involving the 737-9 MAX, emphasizing the importance of understanding exactly what happened and why. The airline has been cooperating with regulators as part of the review of the aircraft’s reliability and safety systems.
On January 5, a 737-9 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines conducted an emergency landing after an event involving the aircraft’s emergency exit door. The plane had only recently entered service and was still in early stages of its operational life. Reporting from the time indicates there were 171 passengers and 6 crew members on board, with no injuries reported among those on the aircraft.
In a separate development, a door from a Boeing 737 was found detached in a Portland area yard on January 8. Investigators are examining this discovery as part of a broader effort to determine the root cause of the door excursion and assess any potential systemic issues related to door assemblies or related fittings across the fleet.
Officials from Alaska Airlines have reiterated the importance of bolt integrity and the secure fastening of critical components on Boeing airplanes, underscoring the ongoing focus on structural reliability and maintenance practices across the model family.