The CEO of Boeing, Dave Calhoun, has admitted the aircraft manufacturer’s responsibility following a door blow-out incident on one of its planes shortly after take-off in the US. The Alaska Airlines flight from Portland, Oregon, experienced the door failure, resulting in the grounding of 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes in the US. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The incident involved an unused cabin door weighing 27kg (60lb), used to fill an emergency exit not required by Alaska Airlines. Boeing’s acknowledgment of the mistake comes as investigations into the incident continue. The missing door section was recovered from a Portland teacher’s backyard.
In the days leading up to the incident, Alaska Airlines had reportedly imposed restrictions on the aircraft due to pressurisation warnings.
Boeing’s CEO assured staff that the company would work transparently with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) to investigate the accident thoroughly. Emphasising safety and transparency, Calhoun stated, We’re going to approach this number one, acknowledging our mistake. We’re going to approach it with 100% and complete transparency every step of the way.”
Inspections of Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft are ongoing, with the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) prioritising the safety of the flying public. Calhoun expressed empathy for those impacted by the incident, emphasising the importance of every detail in ensuring safety and preventing such events in the future.