Aviation Voices Report and Reflect on the Alaska Airlines 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX Door Blow Out
A collection of the more informative articles and commentaries on the incident over Oregon on 5 January 2024.
The opinions expressed are those of the respective writers. We present them as being among the range of aviation voices on the issues raised by the incident.
(Check back regularly; we will add relevant links as new information becomes available.)
NEW POSTS
Harvard Business School
Why Boeing’s Problems with the 737 MAX Began More Than 25 Years Ago
Why Boeing’s Problems with the 737 MAX Began More Than 25 Years Ago – HBS Working Knowledge
Richard Aboulafia
Dear Fellow Industry Interpreters,
February 2024 Letter – Richard Aboulafia
The Air Current
Anatomy of a Boeing Quality Failure
127 Days: The anatomy of a Boeing quality failure – The Air Current
The Guardian
Ex-Boeing manager would ‘absolutely not’ fly 737 Max after cabin panel blowout
Ex-Boeing manager would ‘absolutely not’ fly 737 Max after cabin panel blowout (msn.com)
Leeham News
Five years since Boeing’s last normal year
Markets Insider
Boeing Lost Its Way, Other Companies Should Take Heed.
Boeing lost its way. Other companies should take heed. (msn.com)
Reuters
How production pressures plunged Boeing into yet another crisis
How production pressures plunged Boeing into yet another crisis | Reuters
Forbes
Chart on 57 Years of Boeing Reveals Depth of 737 MAX Crisis
Chart On 57 Years Of Boeing 737 Reveals Depth Of 737 MAX Crisis (forbes.com)
Wall Street Journal
FAA Inspectors Won’t Fix Boeing
FAA Inspectors Won’t Fix Boeing – WSJ
HeraldNet (Everett WA)
At aerospace gathering in Lynnwood, Boeing urges workers to ‘speak up’
At aerospace gathering in Lynnwood, Boeing urges workers to ‘speak up’ | HeraldNet.com
KIRO Seattle
Boeing worker claims corner-cutting at Everett plant
Reuters
Could a standalone non-profit be the answer to FAA oversight of Boeing?
Could a standalone non-profit be the answer to FAA oversight of Boeing? | Reuters
Forbes
Alaska Airlines Door Blowout Incident Could Happen Again, NTSB Chair Says—Claiming Boeing Has ‘Quality Control Problem’
Daily Mail
Boeing union workers threaten to go on strike if they don’t get 40% pay raise
Quartz
Boeing labor pains and ‘overworked’ employees are linked to its 737 Max issues, analyst says
View From the Wing
Boeing Whistleblower: Production Line Has “Enormous Volume of Defects”, Bolts on MAX 9 Weren’t Installed
See also below – Leeham News – “Unplanned” removal, installation inspection procedure at Boeing
“Unplanned” removal, installation inspection procedure at Boeing – Leeham News and Analysis
Leeham News
Boeing turns to US Navy Admiral for second time in MAX crises
JDA Journal
Spirit AeroSystems – Boeing key questions to be asked and from which to learn
Slate
What the plug-door fiasco means for Boeing’s future
737 Max 9 grounding: What the plug-door fiasco on Alaska 1282 means for Boeing’s future. (slate.com)
Democracy Now
Wake Up Call
Daily Mail
US Secretary of State Stranded in Davos By Oxygen Leak
DOOR INCIDENT
Autopian
What You Need to Know About the Boeing 737-9 MAX Door Plug Situation
Here’s What You Need To Know About The Boeing 737-9 MAX Door Plug Situation – The Autopian
Chris Brady – the 737 Technical Site
Alaska Airlines 1282 – The Technical Aspects – FAQs
Business Insider
Passenger on the Alaska Airlines flight that lost a chunk of its fuselage said it felt like being inside a gas canister
Passenger Likens Alaska Airlines Blowout to Punctured Gas Canister (businessinsider.com)
Christine Negroni
Terrifying Minutes on Alaska 737 MAX Described
Christine NegroniTerrifying Minutes On Alaska 737 Max Described – Then, Joy as Missing Clue is Found
Phys.org
Passengers likely would have died if blowout occurred above 40,000 feet, says physicist
IMPACTS
Reuters
Boeing to add further quality inspections for 737 MAX
Boeing to add further quality inspections for 737 MAX | Reuters
New York Post
Alaska Airlines finds more ‘loose hardware’ on Boeing planes
Alaska Airlines finds more ‘loose hardware’ on Boeing planes (nypost.com)
Wired
The Boeing 737 MAX Crisis Reignites Arguments Over Infant Safety on Planes
The Boeing 737 Max Crisis Reignites Arguments Over Infant Safety on Planes | WIRED
Washington Post
Is it safe to hold your baby on a flight? Boeing blowout stokes fears.
Boeing 737 accident stokes fears of harm to lap-babies on planes – The Washington Post
Christine Negroni
Not Just the 737 MAX – Cockpit Doors Will Open on Most Airliners
Christine NegroniNot Just the 737 Max – Cockpit Doors Will Open on Most Airliners
NTSB INVESTIGATION
NPR
Looking into the Alaska Airlines fuselage case, NTSB will examine door plug, bolts (podcast)
Looking into the Alaska Airlines fuselage case, NTSB will examine door plug, bolts : NPR
NBC News
‘Stakes are high’ in the Alaska Airlines flight inquiry, NTSB chair says
‘Stakes are high’ in the Alaska Airlines flight inquiry, NTSB chair says (nbcnews.com)
Airways
NTSB Update: All 12 Door Plug Stops Failed, Leading to Blowout
NTSB Update: All 12 Door Plug Stops Failed, Leading to Blowout – Airways (airwaysmag.com)
New York Post
Hardware to secure panel that blew off Boeing 737 jet may never have been installed: NTSB
Panel that blew off Boeing jet may not have been bolted down, NTSB says (nypost.com)
Leeham News
“Unplanned” removal, installation inspection procedure at Boeing
“Unplanned” removal, installation inspection procedure at Boeing – Leeham News and Analysis
KTLA
NTSB: Warning lights came on 3 times on Alaska Air Boeing 737 MAX 9
NTSB: Warning lights came on 3 times on Alaska Air Boeing 737 Max 9 (ktla.com)
ABC News
Alaska Airlines’ decision not to ground Boeing jet despite warning signs comes under scrutiny
The Air Current
Undamaged plug exit on Alaska MAX 9 had fasteners tightened during assembly
Undamaged plug exit on Alaska Max 9 had fasteners tightened during assembly – The Air Current
Wall Street Journal
United, Alaska Find Loose Parts on Some Boeing 737 MAX 9 Jets
United, Alaska Find Loose Parts on Some Boeing 737 MAX 9 Jets – WSJ
WJLA
New details emerge about Boeing 737 MAX jetliner emergency that ripped hole in plane
New details emerge about Boeing 737 Max jetliner emergency that ripped hole in plane | WJLA
Anchorage Daily News
NTSB focuses on jet assembly work by Boeing and supplier after Alaska Airlines blowout
AMFA National
Memo: AS Boeing MAX-9
Reuters
Loss of Alaska cockpit recording rekindles industry safety debate
Loss of Alaska cockpit recording rekindles industry safety debate | Reuters
India Today
Part found missing on Boeing 737 MAX jet during inspections in India
Washer found missing on one Boeing 737 MAX jet during inspections in India – India Today
FAA OVERSIGHT
Reuters
FAA faces tough questions about Boeing oversight after 737 MAX emergency
FAA faces tough questions about Boeing oversight after 737 MAX emergency | Reuters
Fortune
FAA hardens 737 MAX 9 stance, demands more Boeing data
FAA hardens 737 Max 9 stance, demands more Boeing data | Fortune
The Guardian
US transportation head says no grounded Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes will return to air ‘until it is safe’
Christine Negroni
“The FAA is Not Messing Around” – 737 MAX Pilot Responds to Investigation of Boeing
Christine Negroni”The FAA is Not Messing Around” 737 Max Pilot Responds to Investigation of Boeing
JDA Journal
An Immediate RX for the Boeing SMS Malaise?
Yahoo
Boeing performs pressure tests but does not normally adjust MAX 9 panels
Boeing performs pressure tests but does not normally adjust Max 9 panels -source (yahoo.com)
CBS News
Boeing’s door plug installation process for the 737 MAX 9 is “concerning,” airline safety expert says
The Verge
The FAA is investigating Boeing after a door plug blew out during a flight
The FAA is investigating Boeing after a door plug blew out during a flight. – The Verge
Forbes
Sen. Tammy Duckworth Reacts to Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Door Blowout
BOEING & SUPPLIERS
Wall Street Journal
‘This Has Been Going on for Years.’ Inside Boeing’s Manufacturing Mess.
‘This Has Been Going on for Years.’ Inside Boeing’s Manufacturing Mess. – WSJ
Leeham News
Alaska 1282 isn’t a “737 MAX” story; it’s about quality assurance at Boeing or Spirit
Reuters
Boeing CEO admits error, says mid-air blowout ‘can never happen again’
Boeing CEO admits error, says mid-air blowout ‘can never happen again’ | Reuters
Spirit AeroSystems
Spirit AeroSystems Statement – Alaska Airlines Flight 1282
Spirit AeroSystems Statement – Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 | Spirit AeroSystems
Business Insider
Why the Boeing 737 MAX Seems to Have So Many Issues
Why the Boeing 737 Max Seems to Have so Many Issues (businessinsider.com)
CBS News
Boeing supplier that made Alaska Airlines door plug was warned of “defects” with other parts, lawsuit claims
The Atlantic
A nightmarish flight’s aftermath
A nightmarish flight’s aftermath – The Atlantic
Wall Street Journal
Boeing’s Pile of Problems Gets Bigger as a Crucial Buyer Hesitates
Boeing’s Pile of Problems Gets Bigger as a Crucial Buyer Hesitates – WSJ
Bloomberg
Boeing’s Loose Bolts Blowout Hit Hours Before US Deal on 737 MAX Crashes Set to Expire
Boeing’s Loose Bolts Blowout Hit Hours Before Key DOJ Deal Expired – Bloomberg
The Times
How Wall Street greed led to Boeing’s 737 MAX crisis
How Wall Street greed led to Boeing’s 737 Max crisis (thetimes.co.uk)
The American Prospect
Boeing 737 MAX Incident a By-Product of Its Financial Mindset
Boeing 737 MAX Incident a By-Product of Its Financial Mindset – The American Prospect
Axios
What’s going on with Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane incidents
What’s going on with Boeing 737 Max 9 plane incidents (axios.com)
Anchorage Daily News
Boeing and US aerospace set back by Alaska Airlines fuselage blowout
Bloomberg
Boeing MAX 9 Crisis: Trust in Airline Safety Will Take Years to Repair
Boeing 737 Max 9 Crisis: Trust in Airline Safety Will Take Years to Repair – Bloomberg
Business Insider
Emirates executive takes a jab at Boeing, says quality control has been an ongoing issue
Boeing Issues Have Gone on ‘for a Long Time,’ Emirates Exec Says (businessinsider.com)
FT
Ryanair boss calls on Boeing to improve quality control after mid-flight accident
Ryanair boss calls on Boeing to improve quality control after mid-flight accident
The Conversation
Boeing needs to get real: the 737 MAX should probably be scrapped
Boeing needs to get real: the 737 Max should probably be scrapped (theconversation.com)
The Hindu
Boeing’s bestseller 737 MAX hits an air pocket again
Boeing’s bestseller 737 MAX hits an air pocket again | Data – The Hindu
FT
Stephanie Pope faces turbulent start as Boeing’s new co-pilot
Stephanie Pope faces turbulent start as Boeing’s new co-pilot (ft.com)
Yahoo
Boeing could pay out $5M per day to Alaska Airlines
Boeing could payout $5M per day to Alaska Airlines: Analyst (yahoo.com)
Washington Post
Alaska Airlines accident probe expands to include Boeing supplier, Spirit AeroSystems
New Straits Times
Spirit AeroSystems declines to comment on ‘Made in Malaysia’ door plug
KSN.com
Spirit AeroSystems provides update on MTSB investigation into Alaska Airlines failed plug
Spirit AeroSystems provides update on NTSB investigation into Alaska Airlines failed plug (ksn.com)
NewsNation
Former Boeing manager won’t fly on MAX
Alaska Airlines blowout: Former Boeing manager won’t fly on a Max (newsnationnow.com)
CNN video – ‘Not a good thing’: Boeing whistleblower reacts to Alaska Airlines mid-flight incident (youtube.com)
Slate
Boeing’s MAX Mess (podcast)
Boeing 737 Max: how did it come to this? (slate.com)
Aviation Week
Boeing’s MAX 9 Fiasco (podcast)
Podcast: Boeing’s MAX 9 Fiasco | Aviation Week Network
Washington Post
What’s the cost of passenger trauma? Alaska Airlines values it at $1,500.
What are Alaska Airlines passengers owed after Boeing Max 9 incident? – The Washington Post
KATU
Passenger plans to sue Boeing, Alaska over blown out door incident
Passenger plans to sue Boeing, Alaska over blown out door incident | KATU
Washington Post
How to avoid booking the Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft on your flights
How to avoid booking the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft on your flights – The Washington Post
Airways
The Airlines Most Affected by the Boeing 737-9 Grounding
The Airlines Most Affected by the Boeing 737-9 Grounding – Airways (airwaysmag.com)
Washington Post
Where the Boeing 737 MAX 9 flies
Boeing 737 Max 9: The airlines and routes the plane usually travels – The Washington Post
Aerotime.aero
The enduring success of the Boeing 737 family
The enduring success of the Boeing 737 family (aerotime.aero)