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Alaska Airlines has grounded its entire fleet of Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft after a panel blew out from one of the aircraft as it climbed from Portland, Oregon.
During a normal flight to Ontario from Los Angeles, the airplane experienced a sudden loss of air pressure and the pilot declared an emergency. Fortunately, all 177 passengers and crew were unharmed when the plane safely returned to Portland. However, this incident has once again brought up concerns about the safety of this particular type of aircraft, which was previously involved in two deadly accidents.
In 1967, the first Boeing 737 was introduced and has since become the most successful aircraft in the world, with approximately 10,000 units delivered. However, the newest edition, the Max, was involved in two devastating incidents.
On October 29, 2018, a malfunctioning sensor activated an anti-stall mechanism, resulting in the crash of Lion Air flight 610 shortly after departing from Jakarta. Tragically, all 189 individuals onboard, including passengers and crew, lost their lives.
In under six months, a flight from Addis Ababa to Nairobi operated by Ethiopian Airlines crashed, resulting in the loss of 157 lives under similar circumstances.
Shortly after, the plane was grounded worldwide. It has since undergone a thorough redesign and certification, and is now back in operation, including for Ryanair, Europe’s largest budget airline.
What implications does the recent event have for travelers? Here are the main inquiries and responses.
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This aircraft is a high performer, the Boeing 737 Max 9. The optional exit is located between the wing and tail, specifically in a window that is slightly set apart from the adjacent ones on the left and right.
What caused the two deadly accidents?
Two incidents were blamed on a software called the maneuvering characteristics augmentation system (MCAS), which was added due to the unique design of the newest version of the 737. This version has larger engines placed further forward than usual.
“The goal of MCAS was to ensure consistent handling characteristics,” however, the primary safety oversight agency, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the purchasing airlines were not fully briefed on the new system.
In both accidents, erroneous information from a defective sensor resulted in the software repeatedly forcing the aircraft’s nose downward, as the pilots fought to regain control.
After the Ethiopian Airlines crash, the Max aircraft was banned from flying for a period of 20 months in order to implement safety improvements. It resumed operation in December 2020 and has been regularly used since.
What has occurred with the Alaska Airlines jet?
A window on the port side of the Boeing 737 Max 9 was blown out, revealing a panel that is typically used as a “deactivated mid-cabin exit.” This panel could potentially serve as an extra emergency exit between the overwing and aft exits if needed, but it is currently filled with a plug.
An aircraft belonging to Alaska Airlines experienced a window loss during flight.
Is there a correlation between this recent occurrence and the two unfortunate events?
Not beyond the fact that they were both using the latest version of the Boeing 737. The fatal accidents were due to catastrophically designed software. This latest event is a structural issue.
What is the severity level required for Alaska Airlines to suspend all flight operations?
The airline’s CEO, Ben Minicucci, stated that the 65 jets were taken out of service as a precautionary measure. It is anticipated that they will resume operations within the next few days after undergoing inspections.
What is Boeing’s statement?
We are currently gathering additional information and communicating with our airline partner. A team of Boeing experts are prepared to assist with the investigation.
Is it possible for the same occurrence to happen to a plane I am currently flying on?
It is highly improbable. Ryanair’s aircraft does not possess a “deactivated exit” – instead, they have a functioning emergency exit that is necessary to exceed the standard limit of 189 passengers. Ryanair’s Boeing 737 Max planes have a unique type, called the Max 200, but they are built upon the Max 8 structure.
Are you willing to board a Boeing 737 Max?
I have thoroughly enjoyed flying on this aircraft and I have full confidence in the captain and the airline’s decisions.
Simon Calder, otherwise referred to as The Man Who Pays His Way, has been a contributor for The Independent’s travel section since 1994. In his regular column, he delves into a significant matter within the travel industry and how it impacts readers.
Source: independent.co.uk
