U.S. transportation authority report finds missing bolts in Boeing door plug blowout
SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Tuesday in its preliminary investigative report that four key bolts were "missing" when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines flight in midair on Jan. 5.
"Overall, the observed damage patterns and absence of contact damage or deformation around holes associated with the vertical movement arrestor bolts and upper guide track bolts in the upper guide fittings, hinge fittings, and recovered aft lower hinge guide fitting indicate that four bolts that prevent upward movement of the MED plug were missing before the MED plug moved upward off the stop pads," the NTSB said in the report.
The door plug was originally installed by contractor Spirit AeroSystems in Kansas. When it was shipped to Boeing's factory in Renton, Washington, for assembly, damaged rivets were discovered on the fuselage that required the door plug to be opened for repairs.
After repair work was completed by Spirit AeroSystems personnel at the Boeing plant, the bolts were not reinstalled, according to photo evidence provided to the NTSB by Boeing.
Boeing said that it appreciates the NTSB's work and will review their findings expeditiously.
"We will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the NTSB and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) investigations," the company said in a statement.
"Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened. An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory. We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers," Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun said.
According to Calhoun, Boeing is implementing a comprehensive plan to strengthen quality with "significant, demonstrated action and transparency at every turn."
The company has implemented a control plan to ensure all 737-9 mid-exit door plugs are installed according to specifications, Boeing said, adding that it is implementing plans to improve overall quality and stability across the 737 production system.
"In addition to these Boeing actions, we are opening our factory to 737 customers to conduct their own additional reviews, and will fully and transparently support the FAA's investigation, audit and oversight actions," Calhoun noted.
"This added scrutiny - from ourselves, from our regulator and from our customers - will make us better. It's that simple," he said.
Related articles
Midwest storms: Large hail, torrential rain and tornadoes and more is coming
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Residents in Omaha, Nebraska, awoke to weather sirens blaring and widespread powe2024-05-22- MALMO, Sweden (AP) — Not everyone in Malmo was welcoming the Eurovision Song Contest to town.Thousan2024-05-22
- A star pupil who got 'all 8s and 9s' in her GCSEs has revealed her biggest revision hack, ahead of t2024-05-22
Royal Navy nuclear submarine officer who killed two young women with car is jailed for 10 years
A Royal Navy officer on a nuclear submarine killed two young women when he smashed head-on into thei2024-05-22Austrian leader lauds UK's efforts on migration and cites its plan for deportations to Rwanda
VIENNA (AP) — Austria’s leader praised Britain Tuesday as a “pioneer” in outsourcing asylum proceedi2024-05-22Can renting your entire wardrobe make you more stylish... and save you money?
It's 4pm on a Thursday and I'm walking to the nursery gates dressed in a Burberry trench and carryin2024-05-22
atest comment