The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that it would not give Boeing consent to expand production of MAX aircraft, including the 737-9 MAX, and ordered a thorough inspection of all aircraft of this type, whose explantation was suspended in the United States after the emergency, according to the department statement.
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On January 5, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost a section of its fuselage in the air and depressurized its passenger compartment; the FAA ordered the grounding of 171 of the aircraft for urgent inspections. Alaska Airlines, on whose plane the emergency occurred, was the first to suspend operation of all 65 of its Boeing 737 MAX 9.
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“The Boeing 737-9 MAX incident that occurred on January 5 must not be repeated…Today, the FAA informed Boeing that it will not agree to expand production of the MAX (series), including the 737 MAX 9,” the release said.
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The agency added that on Wednesday it also “approved the conduct of thorough inspection and maintenance” for each of the 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft whose operation was grounded.
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As noted by the FAA, after successful completion of the inspection, the aircraft will be able to return to service.
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Troubles with Boeing planes have even affected US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in recent weeks. Upon departure from Davos, an oxygen leak was discovered on the state-owned Boeing 737, where Blinken and his escort had already boarded. The failure proved impossible to repair, and the plane was declared unsafe for flight.
