On Saturday January 6, 2024 the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)has ordered a temporary grounding of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory. This comes in wake of an incident that occurred on the night of January 5,2024 where an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 lost a portion of the fuselage causing a rapid depressurization and subsequent emergency landing.
An Immediate Inspection Requirement
In light of the incident involving Alaska Airlines flight 1282 the FAA has issued an Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) on certain 737 MAX 9 aircraft, requiring operators to inspect the aircraft prior to flight. According to the FAA the inspections are estimated to take around four to eight hours per aircraft to complete. “The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. “Safety will continue to drive our decision-making as we assist the NTSB’s investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.” Alaska Airlines has already proactively grounded its fleet of 737 MAX 9 aircraft for inspection following the emergency landing of flight 1282 prior to the FAA EAD.