FAA Orders Mandatory Inspection of Loose Bolts on Boeing 737 MAX Rudders in the U.S.

On Thursday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially announced its decision to mandate inspections on Boeing 737 MAX's rudder control systems for possible loose bolts, following Boeing's recommendation in December.

The FAA confirmed that all U.S. airlines had carried out these inspections by early January, and there were no findings of missing or ill-fitted rudder bolts. With this mandate, the FAA meets its ongoing operational safety obligations internationally.

The focus on bolts and Boeing planes intensified after the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report this week. The report details a mid-air emergency involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 on January 5th, which lost a cabin panel at an altitude of 4,900 meters. The panel was found to be missing four crucial bolts, the agency found.

According to the NTSB, the panel, known as a door plug - used in place of an optional exit in this MAX 9 model - might have detached from the aircraft.

Boeing's recommendation for loose-bolt inspections in December came after an international operator discovered a missing nut on a rudder bolt during routine maintenance. Boeing also found another undelivered aircraft with a nut that wasn't appropriately tightened.

Boeing stated on Thursday that since their inspection recommendation in late December, more than 1,400 737 MAX airplanes have undergone the scrutiny, with only a single inspection yet to be completed.

Boeing stated, "So far, no other aircraft has been found with the condition that initiated the inspection." Operators who have completed the inspection are not obliged to conduct any more checks and can continue operating their aircraft safely."

On Thursday, Maria Cantwell, Chair of the Senate Commerce Committee, shared that the NTSB notified her earlier this week that signs on the retrieved 737 MAX 9 door plug suggested prior movement. Cantwell questioned, "Why wasn't this detected earlier?"

Both Alaska and United Airlines reported last month that numerous airplanes displayed loose bolts during inspections of MAX 9 jets.

On January 6th, the FAA grounded 171 MAX 9 jets and revived the grounding on January 24th after enforcing thorough door plug inspections. Boeing has been prohibited by the agency from increasing its 737 MAX production rate until its quality control measures are improved.

Sophie Wagner