WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal investigation has concluded that Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) share responsibility for a serious safety failure that caused a mid-air door panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in early 2024.
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released its final report Tuesday, citing critical lapses during the aircraft’s production process at Boeing’s facility. Investigators found that four key bolts securing the door plug were missing before the jet left the factory floor.
The door panel detached from the fuselage shortly after takeoff on January 5, 2024, during Alaska Airlines Flight 1282’s climb out of Portland, Oregon. The aircraft made an emergency landing. No passengers or crew were injured.
The NTSB stated in its findings, “Boeing did not provide adequate training, guidance, or oversight to the personnel responsible for installing and securing the door panel.” The report also faulted the FAA for failing to detect these oversights during routine inspections and certification audits.
The investigation, which lasted 17 months, pointed to broader manufacturing and regulatory failures. The report described a breakdown in Boeing’s internal quality control processes and indicated that FAA inspectors did not thoroughly verify final assembly procedures before the aircraft was delivered.
“This was not a single oversight,” the NTSB said. “It was the result of a chain of missed steps, poor supervision, and ineffective regulatory checks.”
Since the incident, Boeing has revised its production protocols and introduced more rigorous training for factory workers handling structural components. The FAA has also begun enhancing its audit processes, focusing on critical safety checkpoints during aircraft assembly.
However, the NTSB warned that despite these changes, both Boeing and the FAA must improve how they identify and respond to risks. “Without better early detection and stronger oversight, similar errors could escape notice again,” the report added.
The January 2024 door blowout marked one of the most serious incidents for Boeing since the global grounding of the 737 MAX fleet in 2019. It reignited scrutiny over Boeing’s quality assurance practices and the FAA’s role in ensuring aircraft safety.
As the aviation industry continues to face mounting pressure over safety standards, the NTSB’s report signals a renewed call for accountability and structural reform within both Boeing and its chief regulator.
