Boeings own records show they’re responsible for Alaska plug door failure.

As a retired (from 43 years on the job) software developer, the fact there are TWO systems for recording maintenance/repairs is what draws my attention.

Throughout my career in which the introduction of personal computers resulted in siloed, multiple versions of the truth (typically in spreadsheets), I often felt ignored as I pleaded for a a SINGLE VERSION OF THE TRUTH in any IT system I worked on.

In this case, Boeing seems reluctant to spend the money needed to blend their two SEPARATE maintenance/repair systems into a single system.

I will concede that even a near-perfect IT system is only as good as the people who use it (or our SUPPOSED to use it).

Time for Boeing to back to pre-merger management.

On a grammatical note: it is a sad state of affairs when the first word of the first headline says "Boeings" instead of "Boeing's". Normally I would just be quiet and stop reading, but I have just consumed too much caffeine to let this atrocity go unpunished.

Interesting inside insights. Thanks for posting.

While Boeing may be partially at fault, Alaska Airlines had THREE warnings there were pressurization issues, twice in the days prior to the event, yet they failed to fully investigate the reason why. The plane should not have been in service.

>>>>>>>>>The critical procedural error, the lack of proper recording of the work done and what still needed to be done for completion, seems to reflect what former MAX assembly manager Pierson calls the “manufacturing chaos” he witnessed first hand in 2018 when mechanics were pushed to accelerate work to meet schedule.<<<<<<<<<<<

This is why I don't care for one-sided stories....IF Pierson noted this, what corrective action was taken, was it documented, and IF management failed to respond to corrective action and or failed to follow up then blame can be placed on the Company.

We all are having labor issues replacing aging workers, last year I interviewed 11 and of that 9 could not pass the dope testing.

Airbus thanks Boeing.

I don’t understand why something like this plug is not required to be installed from the inside/ it’s larger than the opening. Even if there were no bolts installed, cabin pressure isn’t enough to push it through the fuselage.

The Max 9 / 37 , is not a successful investment and/ or invention.
It. Continues to be under radar and concerns.
Many Airlines are aware of these troubles and some has already made a decision not to buy them .
Aware Passengers are raising concerns as well.

It’s time for Boeing to rethink and rectify their technology and reputation.

They have already lost many business customers and even “ some Pilots are refusing to fly these Aircraft “
Eventually, we are for “ buy American “ however at times it’s “ Damn if you do , Damn if you don’t “ situation.

They better improve things , since Airbus is taking the lead at this time .

I wonder here the FAA stands in this case ?

Seattle Times has a Paywall so I can't read the article. Also the Seattle Times says I'm using an ad blocker, which I'm not. Living as I do in New England I'm not anxious to subscribe in order to read one article. The "industry source" was evidently a Boeing employee. Again, unsubstantiated.

I cannot speak to the assembly process for an airframe, but in the automotive industry, the installer is obligated to mark critical bolts (typically for torquing) when completed providing a visual reference for important parts. I don't know if the bolts were never installed, or just not tightened (I suspect), but either way, if the installer looks at the part, (or an inspector) and there is no mark, the job isn't done. Marking the bolts would not create any measurable delay in completing tasks.

This is simply a case of a flawed design. The so called "plug" door is misleading in it's name. I know there is no distinction in the dictionary, but when I think of a plug, I think of the one you put in your sink to stop the water from going out. Something that is bigger than the hole and put in on the side from where the pressure is coming. I think a "patch panel" or "band-aid panel" would be a more accurate way to describe the flimsy thing Boeing has as a solution to fill their hole. No matter what you call it, it is still not using the existing pressure of the cabin to get the job done properly.

The hole/panel looks to be about 3 feet by 5 feet. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the math would be: 36 inches times 60 inches equaling 2160 square inches times the cabin (maximum) pressure differential of ~ 9.5 pounds per square inch equaling 20520 pounds. That's more than 10 tons of force on that panel at high altitude. The panel blew out at 16,000 feet so the cabin diff was probably only about 4 psi. That is 8640lbs/4.3 tons of force. Either way, a seriously explosive decompression and a hell of a lot of weight to rely on those bolts to hold back, cycle after cycle after cycle.

People use to get fired or go to jail for screwing up so bad when it injured or killed people. Anyone seen this lately. I have held positions with which I had a legal responsibilty with my job, I took it very seriously.

Boing is the next Kmart

If it's a door plug only to be opened during maintenance, and covered to make it look like a seamless interior (which it doesn't) -- then why aren't there right angle (L-shaped) door levers to prevent it from ever blowing out? Terrible design, but hey... Boeing is focused on other hiring practices.

How about being respectful and professional?

Rather than using offensive language and insulting others with criticism that has nothing to do with what has been said?

It’s very strange and surprising to hear some Members on this site making comments ( about using punctuation and creating sentences)

One should learn first how to communicate and make sure to stay on a specific subject discussed and not deviate from a topic.

To those who using profanity, please keep your tongue prisoner.

How anyone can ever trust their safety on that company again is beyond me. They may as well change their name

It is indeed sad when very "coommonly"people
use wrong words out of context Like "there" for "their" and "your" for "you are" and wrong use of punctuation like "you're".I wish this country needs to first make sure everybody uses grammatically correct language before they are allowed to "graduate" high school. and colleges should have a grammasr test bfreo they admit students.

I can't wait to the NTSB report if this is true...

I can hear the argument now "We are only opening the door not removing it so a removal entry is not required. Besides, if we hold the removal open waiting for the seal to arrive then we cannot close the job in CMES and that spoils the performance metrics for that position".

Original post directly from the whistleblower. Alot of information posted below is incorrect.

https://leehamnews.com/2024/01/15/unplanned-removal-installation-inspection-procedure-at-boeing/#comment-509962

Contradicting and misleading news just now .

The FAA finally has just grounded about 170 Boeing Max 9 / 37’s worldwide.

The big question is : Why in the world Alaska Airlines resumed flying these type of Aircrafts after this incident?

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2024/01/30/boeing-alaska-airlines

Well, First of All our Respect To Our Native Americans is Away “ Overdue Sir “ Respectfully.

The Expression of I Quote:
“ too Many Chiefs And not Enough Indians “ ?


This Old Expression offends Our Own American Culture And The Native American “ Spirit “

And I would say , “ too Many Dedicated Boeing employees And Not Enough Leaders “

Logically, Boeing Is 80% Responsible For its Own Safety Systems, Safety and Productivity.

Airlines Mechanics Are Responsible for The 20% preparedness, Maintenance and reviews of Aircraft’s Data logs prior to Departures.

It All About Greed , Money and “ More Money “


“ ONLY WHEN The LAST TREE HAS BEEN CUT DOWN, THE LAST FISH HAS BEEN CAUGHT AND THE LAST STREAM POISONED, WE WILL REALIZE WE CANNOT EAT MONEY “

Native American Proverb .

Boeing has the same problem so many Corp's have, bean counters running the company
Sure way to go out of business.
Saw it with Delco Reamy

If American industry wants to survive then they better get back to qualifications based hiring practices and forget the dei and esg excrement that the america haters and the damned media are pushing. That is, if America wants to survive. If not, go on with the dei and esg excrement and watch America die!

All political and conspiracy comments. I don't see anything related to the actual issue of the failure by anyone who can support their findings. Admins need to review this entire entry.

I read some people blaming DEI for these kinds of problems, and others pushing back on that and writing "oh, just blame women and minorities, why don't you!" Well, both are right, DEI is a real problem, but it isn't a problem with the individuals that get placed above their level of competency, it is management's fault for using DEI (or anything else) to place unqualified persons (regardless of sex, race, etc) in positions anywhere, but especially when it comes to critical safety systems. When critical safety systems are not designed, built or maintained properly, it is the responsibility of management to correct those problems.

As an aside, I used to work in a FAA Part 145 shop repairing in-flight entertainment equipment, and the things I saw other techs do makes me glad our stuff was just for seatback TV and radio, not flight critical avionics. I tried to alert the local FAA office about it after I quit the job, but got no response from the message I sent. This was 2017.

Where was the supervisor?!!!

Obviously, The Max 9, 737’s are not a score of nine out of Ten..

Boeing ought to rethink , brainstorm their technology, invention and design .
It’s an investment that is not going well.

Many Airlines are questioning this Aircraft’s , some Pilots are refusing to fly these Aircrafts.

Eventually, Airbus may take away the lead from Boeing.

It’s a Damn if you do , Damn if you don’t situation ,
“ Buy American is fine “ however Airlines may consider buying other Aircraft’s.

I wonder what the FAA had to say about this .

Starts with the mechanic doing the work and the inspector checking the work. Do they care about their quality and did they have experience for this maintenance action. Maybe the work wasn’t finished when the 5 o’clock bell rang. It’s a big company did DEI have an effect on the work quality?

If you want Boeing to survive quit the DEI quota bullexcrement and get back to engineering, quality and safety. Out with he bean counters and dei's.

If it is true the final NTSB report will include this information.
Anonymous sources can be misleading.
There has been a real world wide effort to besmirch Boeing to the benefit of airbus.
Billions are involved.