United Airlines Discovers Loose Bolts in Boeing 737 Max 9 Fleet, Grounds Planes After Mid-Flight Incident

In the wake of a harrowing incident where a section of fuselage separated from an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 mid-flight, United Airlines has revealed alarming discoveries during inspections of its own fleet. United Airlines confirmed on Monday that it found loose bolts holding door plugs, similar to the one that blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight on Friday, forcing an emergency landing.

The airline's representative, identified only as "Erin," informed The Verge via email that inspections conducted since Saturday revealed instances of loose bolts related to installation issues in the door plug. United Airlines, taking swift action, stated that its technicians will address the installation problems and ensure the safe return of the affected aircraft to service. The airline currently operates 79 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes.

The Air Current initially reported that United Airlines had identified loose plugs on "at least" five aircraft, a finding subsequently confirmed by the airline. As a precautionary measure, United has suspended service on these planes and canceled 200 Boeing 737 Max 9 flights, with expectations of significant cancellations on Tuesday as well.

Erin explained that United's inspection process involves the removal of two rows of seats and the wall's liner on most planes. Technicians then open and inspect the door and surrounding areas, ensuring a proper fit and security. Each plane undergoes a thorough inspection conducted by five technicians over several hours.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the Alaska Airlines incident by issuing an Emergency Airworthiness Directive, leading to the "temporary grounding" of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes. The directive requires airlines to conduct inspections, a process estimated to take four to eight hours per aircraft.

The New York Times reported on Friday that Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 experienced a pressurization issue, resulting in a wall of the plane blowing out just 20 minutes after takeoff from Portland International Airport. The emergency landing, prompted by the sudden depressurization, caused minor injuries, with no one in the immediate vicinity of the wall. Additionally, a teenage passenger sitting nearby reportedly had their shirt pulled off due to the force of the depressurization.