Manufacturing Defect Led to 737 Depressurization Incident
This diagram shows how the fuselage skin of a Boeing 737 was damaged by incorrect installation of a fuselage crown skin panel.
This diagram shows how the fuselage skin of a Boeing 737 was damaged by incorrect installation of a fuselage crown skin panel.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has concluded that the improper installation of a fuselage crown skin panel during the manufacturing process was the probable cause of substantial damage to a Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 during a rapid decompression incident in April 2011. According to a report released on September 23, the error resulted in damage fatigue cracking in a number of locations and the eventual failure of the skin panel.