SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – Experts are raising concerns about the safety of Boeing 737-9 MAX planes after a recent incident in which a door blew open mid-flight. Dan Gryder, an aviation expert and certified Gold Seal flight instructor, expressed his apprehension regarding the oversight by the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) in ensuring the safety of the aircraft.
Gryder emphasized the lack of proper oversight by the FAA and warned of a potential aviation disaster as a result. According to Gryder, the recent incident involving the Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft points to a failure in the inspection and manufacturing process. He suggested that the bolt responsible for securing the door may not have been properly attached, leading to the dangerous in-flight emergency.
The Alaska Airlines flight, en route from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California, was forced to turn back to Portland after the door incident, prompting the grounding of similar planes for inspection. Although there were no serious injuries reported as a result of the incident, concerns about the safety of the fleet have led to numerous flight cancellations impacting hundreds of passengers.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737-9 MAX aircraft, has faced previous scrutiny over safety concerns, particularly following two fatal crashes of the same model in 2018 and 2019. The company, along with the FAA, is now under pressure to address these latest safety issues and provide transparency in their investigation and corrective actions.
As federal officials continue to investigate the recent incident and the safety of the Boeing 737-9 MAX fleet, the aviation industry and passengers alike await assurances of improved safety measures and oversight to prevent future disasters.