Boeing 737 MAX 9 safety called into question following incident
Series of international inspections
The Boeing 737 MAX 9 model has been under close scrutiny since an Alaska Airlines aircraft suffered a critical failure, losing a door during a flight. This event triggered a wave of inspections around the world, disrupting numerous flight schedules. Major airlines, including United Airlines, as well as Turkish Airlines and other international operators, grounded their affected aircraft following a recommendation from the US Civil Aviation Authority (FAA).
According to information released by Boeing, some 218 units of this model have been distributed to date.
Limited involvement in Europe
The FAA has issued an injunction requiring "immediate inspection" of certain models before the next takeoff, affecting approximately 171 aircraft worldwide. These checks can take between four and eight hours per aircraft. Despite the situation, Europe seems relatively unscathed, according to EASA, which has announced that none of the continent's carriers are operating the 737 MAX 9 with the problematic configurations. The agency, based in Germany, has therefore indicated that flights can continue without interruption.
Singapore Airlines, for its part, has confirmed that it does not use the models concerned by these inspections, and therefore remains outside the scope of these directives.
Incident details
The accident in question occurred when an Alaska Airlines flight was forced to turn back after a door separated in mid-air, while the aircraft was at an altitude of around 5,000 meters. The flight was from Oregon to California. Some minor injuries were reported, but there was more fear than harm as the seats next to the missing section were unoccupied. Nevertheless, the incident was serious enough for a young passenger to sustain minor scratches from the sudden decompression. Authorities later reported that the door had fallen on a suburban area near Portland.
Consequences of the incident and expert analysis
Risk assessment
The Boeing 737 MAX 9, although considered reliable, is subject to increased risks due to the longevity of its original 1967 design. According to aviation specialist Michel Polacco, the model has undergone multiple modifications over the years, which can lead to unpredictable technical complexities.
Increased surveillance
This latest inconvenience raises concerns about the safety of the aircraft, and prompts closer scrutiny of the worldwide 737 MAX 9 fleet. Shocking images of the incident, posted on social networks, testify to the potential seriousness of such events, accentuating the urgency of a thorough assessment.
Research continues
The authorities urged residents in the affected areas to contact the relevant departments if any debris was found. The aircraft involved, which had received certification in November, is now being thoroughly investigated to prevent similar incidents in the future.
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