Boeing's Loose Screws

’American airline United Airlines has found loose screws and other installation issues in various Boeing aircraft.’ These words are mentioned in a press release issued by the mentioned American carrier. The reason for this was the incident with an Alaska Airlines aircraft this past weekend. A Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost a portion of its fuselage during the flight, miraculously with no casualties.

Alaska Airlines has also reported finding 'loose parts' in several Boeing aircraft. The section of the fuselage that was torn off the Alaska Airlines plane served as a closing panel. It was intended as an emergency exit in the design of the aircraft, but it was not mandatory for Alaska Airlines because the number of seats did not exceed the norm. Well, probably such an emergency exit increases the price of the jet, which is why they chose to close it with a panel. That's fine, but it should be properly screwed in, of course……

The relevant aircraft of Alaska Airlines had already been taken out of service for longer flights, such as those to Hawaii. Why? Well, on three different flights, a warning light switched on, indicating a decrease in cabin pressure. Well, in that case, it's wise to use the aircraft for shorter flights, isn't it? Instead of keeping the plane on the ground until the issue with the warning light would be resolved? That's what I would say as an average air traveler...

In 2018, a Boeing 737 MAX 8 crashed in Indonesia, and in 2019, a plane of the same type went down in Ethiopia. It was only after this second crash that Boeing decided to ground the Max 8 planes (346 people had lost their lives by then...). Upon investigation, it was found that the so-called stabilization system malfunctioned, leading the pilots to make incorrect decisions. Later, it was revealed that the pilots of LION Air had not been offered simulation training for the new MAX 8 type by Boeing. The reason? Cost savings... Subsequently, the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft - operated by LION Air….. - crashed into the Java Sea. In 2017, a Boeing employee already reported that 'the 737 MAX is designed by clowns supervised by monkeys.' Other employees also expressed concerns about the safety of the Boeing MAX program…..

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun immediately took full responsibility after the 'incident' with the Air Alaska plane, stating, 'We begin by acknowledging our mistake.' With a tearful expression on his face….. He also ’valued’ the Alaska leadership's immediate decision to ground all 737 MAX 8 aircraft, saying, 'I know how difficult such a decision is.' WHAT? It is the only decision that MUST be made at such a moment, Mr. Calhoun; what on earth are you talking about?

And Mr. Calhoun, I have another pressing question for you. Could you perhaps, maybe, possibly, ensure that no more aircraft are delivered without a finalized design beforehand? According to the Seattle Times, Boeing itself has admitted that there was never a ready-made - detailed - design available for the Max 8 and 9 models. Yes, I can imagine that tightening a nut here and there might be overlooked. Or hanging a jet engine not entirely according to regulations... Especially if the - technical - regulations do not adequately provide for it.

Should we all avoid Boeing MAX 8 and 9 aircraft like the plague? No, says Turkish/Dutch travel organization Corendon, which now transports holidaymakers to their destinations with two MAX 9 aircraft. In the Corendon planes, there is an emergency door in the place of the infamous 'panel.' Oh, so we don't need to worry now? The bolts in the emergency door are properly tightened? Hmm, I think this check has probably been implemented by now, so that door is unlikely to pop out over Rhodes or near Tenerife.

The only remaining question is whether this also applies to the landing gear, the cockpit nose, the jet engine suspension, the window next to 'seat 27,' etc. Should the air traveler just assume that the rest of the safety is in good shape? With the knowledge that the aircraft was built based on an unfinished design? No, no, I probably opt for an airline that operates Airbus planes. This way, I also support the European aircraft industry. That seems like a good idea not just from a safety perspective...