United Airlines resumed passenger flights on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliner on January 28th, 2023, for the first time since January 6th, when the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded the aircraft. 

This comes after the FAA approved new inspection and maintenance procedures for the MAX 9 fleet following a dramatic cabin blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight in early January.

The FAA grounded all 171 MAX 9 jets on January 5th after a panel blew out from the passenger cabin on Alaska Airlines Flight 558, depressurizing the cabin and terrifying passengers. 

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• United Airlines resumes Boeing 737 MAX 9 flights after FAA-mandated inspections and maintenance

• New procedures require bolts, fittings, and cabin door checks following the Alaska Airlines blowout incident

• Boeing works with airlines and regulators to improve quality control and oversight across 737 MAX production

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United Airlines Resumes Boeing 737 MAX 9 Flights After Critical Inspections

The​​​ ​plane ​landed safely ​in ​Seattle​. ​​However​, ​the ​event led ​​​to ​thousands ​of ​flight ​​​​cancellations ​as ​Alaska ​and ​​United scrambled ​​to inspect ​​their MAX ​​9 ​​​fleets.

United expects a handful of MAX 9 flights over the weekend as inspections continue across their fleet. 

Alaska also resumed MAX 9 flights on Friday after inspecting nearly half their planes.

The FAA Finally Lifts Grounding Order

On Wednesday, the FAA lifted its grounding order on the MAX 9, approving Boeing’s enhanced inspection and maintenance procedures. 

These include closely examining specific bolts, guide tracks, fittings, and door plugs in the mid-cabin area where the blowout occurred. 

Alaska Airlines said they expect to complete FAA-mandated inspections across their entire MAX fleet by the end of next week.

The ​​​cabin ​blowout was ​a major ​setback ​for ​​Boeing’s troubled ​​737 MAX ​​​​program. 

The MAX family was grounded globally in 2019 after two crashes killed 346 people and revealed critical safety oversights in the plane’s design. 

Boeing only recently returned the MAX jets to service after extensive modifications.

This​​ ​latest ​issue ​has ​further ​​damaged ​confidence ​in ​Boeing’s ​quality control ​​procedures​. ​​

FAA approval for the MAX 9 fleet to fly again came with the caveat that Boeing must address “manufacturing quality issues” before increasing 737 production rates. 

Boeing ​​​​Commercial ​President ​Stan ​Deal ​said ​the ​company ​is ​evaluating ​”​hundreds ​​of ideas​​” submitted ​by ​employees ​to ​improve ​quality​​.

What ​Caused ​the ​​Cabin Blowout​?​

While ​investigations ​are ​still ​ongoing​, ​early ​findings ​indicate ​a ​failure ​of ​the cabin ​​pressure ​system ​led ​to ​​the ​​blowout. 

Specifically, a faulty seal around an aft pressure bulkhead opening is believed to have caused rapid air leakage, resulting in extreme pressure buildup and violent panel disruption.

The FAA-mandated inspections include a detailed examination of the bulkhead seals and openings most susceptible to pressure-induced structural failures. 

United, Alaska, and Boeing engineers will also install additional pressure sensors to allow early detection of any potential pressure anomalies in the future.

Boeing Continues to Face Uphill Climb

The MAX 9 grounding came at a terrible time for Boeing financially and reputationally. 

The ​​company ​is ​desperately ​trying ​to ​turn ​around ​​declining revenues ​​and rebuild ​trust ​in ​​its ​brand​. 

​​More quality ​issues ​and aircraft ​​groundings continue ​to ​undermine these ​​efforts.

However, United, Alaska, and other airlines remain confident in Boeing and the enhanced MAX 9 inspections. 

Alaska’s COO even sat in the same row that experienced the blowout on their first returning MAX 9 flight to demonstrate her trust. 

Boeing hopes rigorous inspections and quality control initiatives will prevent any future issues as they ramp up 737 production again.

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