02-03-2024, 12:32 AM
The plug blew out because the 4 bolts that lock it in place were left out by someone.
All of the Max 9's and 737-900ER airplanes have been inspected now and those bolts are installed.
Delta Airlines proactively inspected all of their 737-900ER aircraft before the FAA suggested they do the inspections.
"Earlier this month, the FAA ordered the temporary grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX-9 aircraft following an Alaska Airlines safety incident where an emergency door was blown during flight.
Though Delta does not operate the MAX-9 aircraft, our fleet includes 130 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft with plugged doors. Out of an abundance of caution, Delta began inspecting these aircraft last week and completed the final inspection on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, ahead of a recommendation issued by Boeing and the FAA Sunday night.
We are in full compliance with FAA regulations regarding the safety of our aircraft and continue to remain in close contact with our partners at Boeing.
"I appreciate the proactive work of our TechOps team to prioritize these inspections well ahead of recommendations from Boeing and the FAA," said John Laughter, Chief of Operations and President, Delta TechOps. "Keeping safety first and foremost in our operation is the most important thing we do each day and the foundation of our brand promise to our customers."
Delta shared the following statement in response to media inquiries Sunday evening:
"As always, we remain in close communication with the Boeing team and Delta aircraft are inspected frequently and rigorously. Nothing is more important than safety, and we elected to take proactive measures to inspect our 737-900ER fleet. We're in full compliance with regulation from federal authorities regarding the safety of our aircraft, and at this time we do not anticipate any operational impact."
Delta has a longstanding and strong relationship with Boeing and is staying connected on any future findings."
The issue of who left out the bolts and why it happened is still to be resolved.
All of the Max 9's and 737-900ER airplanes have been inspected now and those bolts are installed.
Delta Airlines proactively inspected all of their 737-900ER aircraft before the FAA suggested they do the inspections.
"Earlier this month, the FAA ordered the temporary grounding of all Boeing 737 MAX-9 aircraft following an Alaska Airlines safety incident where an emergency door was blown during flight.
Though Delta does not operate the MAX-9 aircraft, our fleet includes 130 Boeing 737-900ER aircraft with plugged doors. Out of an abundance of caution, Delta began inspecting these aircraft last week and completed the final inspection on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024, ahead of a recommendation issued by Boeing and the FAA Sunday night.
We are in full compliance with FAA regulations regarding the safety of our aircraft and continue to remain in close contact with our partners at Boeing.
"I appreciate the proactive work of our TechOps team to prioritize these inspections well ahead of recommendations from Boeing and the FAA," said John Laughter, Chief of Operations and President, Delta TechOps. "Keeping safety first and foremost in our operation is the most important thing we do each day and the foundation of our brand promise to our customers."
Delta shared the following statement in response to media inquiries Sunday evening:
"As always, we remain in close communication with the Boeing team and Delta aircraft are inspected frequently and rigorously. Nothing is more important than safety, and we elected to take proactive measures to inspect our 737-900ER fleet. We're in full compliance with regulation from federal authorities regarding the safety of our aircraft, and at this time we do not anticipate any operational impact."
Delta has a longstanding and strong relationship with Boeing and is staying connected on any future findings."
The issue of who left out the bolts and why it happened is still to be resolved.