Regulations and Government
FAA To Audit Boeing Max 9 Production
Agency to reevaluate Boeing’s delegated authority and quality oversight
Boeing 737 Max 9 missing door plug
The seating configuration of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 called for a exit door plug, which blew off the airplane during a January 5 flight. © NTSB

The FAA is taking “new and significant actions” to immediately increase its oversight of Boeing production and manufacturing in reaction to the January 5 incident in which a 737 Max 9 lost a passenger door plug while in flight. This notification today comes one day after the FAA formally notified the manufacturer that it has launched an investigation into the company’s compliance with requirements outlined in Part 21 regulations.

The actions include an audit involving the 737 Max 9 production line and its suppliers to evaluate Boeing’s compliance with its approved quality procedures. The results of the FAA’s audit analysis will determine the necessity of more audits.

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