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.
Further actions include increased monitoring of Boeing 737 Max 9 in-service events and an assessment of safety risks around delegated authority and quality oversight, including an examination of options to move the functions to independent third-party entities.
"It is time to re-examine the delegation of authority and assess any associated safety risks," FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. "The grounding of the 737-9 and the multiple production-related issues identified in recent years require us to look at every option to reduce risk. The FAA is exploring the use of an independent third party to oversee Boeing’s inspections and its quality system."
Thursday’s letter to Boeing notified that the agency launched an investigation to determine whether Boeing failed to ensure that completed products conform to their approved design and were in a condition for safe operation. The agency also noted that operators had notified it of “discrepancies” in other Max 9s.
“This incident should have never happened and it cannot happen again,” said the FAA in a statement. “Boeing’s manufacturing practices need to comply with the high safety standards they’re legally accountable to meet. The safety of the flying public, not speed, will determine the timeline for returning the [airplane] to service.”
On January 8, Boeing sent the FAA proposed inspection instructions for operators, but the agency rejected it. The FAA gave Boeing 10 days to issue a new set of instructions.