Boeing MAX 9 aircraft that have been thoroughly inspected and approved are allowed to return to service, the FAA has announced late on Wednesday. Alaska Airlines said it will resume operations of the type on Friday and United Airlines from Sunday. At the same time, the FAA has stepped up scrutiny of Boeing by blocking any expansion of the MAX production in Renton.
The FAA said it has approved a detailed set of inspection and maintenance instructions after reviewing data from 40 MAX 9s, specifically the mid-cabin door plug. This part failed on January 5 on the Alaska Airlines flights after departure from Portland, causing a sudden decompression.
The agency requires operators of the 171 MAX 9s with door plugs to inspect specific bolts, guide tracks, and fittings, do detailed visual inspections of the left and right door plugs and dozens of associated components, retorque fasteners, and correct any damage or abnormal conditions.
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