FAA increases oversight on Boeing and investigates the delivery of unsafe MAX

UPDATE Jan 13 – The FAA has launched a formal investigation into Boeing to check if the airframer has delivered aircraft that did not comply with design and safety standards. The agency formally notified Boeing in a letter on Wednesday. Boeing said that “we will cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA and the NTSB on their investigations.” On Friday, the FAA took additional steps to increase oversight.

The investigation follows the blowout of the door plug on the Alaska Airlines MAX 9 on January 5 and the discovery of “additional discrepancies” on other 737-9 aircraft. These are believed to be aircraft of Alaska and United Airlines, on which loose bolts were found

during preliminary inspections on the day after the Alaska accident.

While Boeing intended to offer inspection instructions in a multi-operator message to airlines, the FAA at first requested more information about the checks. But following the discovery of more loose bolts, the agency seems to have toughened its position on Boeing.