After a week of intensive inspections and 40 evaluations, the Boeing 737 MAX 9 continues to be grounded, and there is no definitive timeline for its return to the skies.
On Wednesday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) disclosed that it had initiated a review of data stemming from the initial round of inspections carried out on the grounded 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
These planes, totaling approximately 171 in number, have come under close regulatory and consumer scrutiny following a concerning incident on an Alaska Airlines flight departing from Portland on January 5.
During that flight, a door plug, intended to cover an unused emergency exit, became dislodged.
Grounded indefinitely
In response to this incident, the FAA promptly grounded the MAX 9 planes that incorporated the same door plug. Investigators are currently exploring whether the bolts meant to secure the plug to the aircraft were either improperly installed or entirely missing.
The MAX 9 fleet will remain grounded until they undergo inspections in accordance with guidelines issued by Boeing, a process that has not yet received FAA approval.
However, despite the completion of 40 preliminary inspections, the recent announcement by the FAA does not signify an imminent return to service for the MAX 9. Instead, it represents a step in what is anticipated to be an extensive and thorough examination process.
The FAA clarified its stance in a statement, asserting, “All 737-9 MAX aircraft with door plugs will remain grounded pending the FAA’s review and final approval of an inspection and maintenance process that satisfies all FAA safety requirements.
“Once the FAA approves an inspection and maintenance process, it will be required on every grounded 737-9 MAX prior to future operation.”
The inspection guidelines, a pivotal phase for the resumption of MAX 9 flights, have undergone a series of approvals and revisions.
Flight delays
Meanwhile, the aviation industry is expected to witness ongoing flight delays and cancellations as airlines work to adjust to the absence of the grounded planes.
According to FlightAware, as of Wednesday evening, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport had reported 121 flight cancellations and 335 delayed flights.
Government shutdown
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation into the fuselage incident on Alaska Flight 1282.
NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed deep concern about the potential impact of a government shutdown on the ongoing investigation.
A funding lapse could significantly hinder the NTSB’s efforts and delay the delivery of timely safety recommendations.
Congress has a few remaining days to reach a compromise on funding bills to avert a partial government shutdown, which is scheduled to occur later this week.
Ahron Young is an award winning journalist who has covered major news events around the world. Ahron is the Managing Editor and Founder of TICKER NEWS.
In Short:
– Trump ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear testing, risking global tensions and retaliation from other nations.
– Proliferation concerns are rising as nuclear states modernise arsenals and the New START Treaty nears expiration.
US President Donald Trump has ordered the Pentagon to resume nuclear weapons testing immediately, aiming to align with testing programs from other countries according to the conversation.Resuming explosive nuclear tests would likely trigger retaliatory responses from nuclear-armed nations like Russia and China, worsening the arms race and increasing global risks.
The potential for worldwide radioactive fallout remains high, even for underground tests. The Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, signed by 187 states, prohibits such testing, yet the US remains a signatory without ratification, bound not to violate the treaty’s intent.
Nuclear weapon testing, once crucial for understanding weapon effects and military planning, has diminished. Since World War II, nuclear tests have largely focused on developing new designs. Significant environmental and health concerns led to a moratorium on atmospheric testing in the early 1960s and the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.
Many countries, including the US, stopped explosive testing in the 1990s. Technological advancements allowed nations to develop nuclear weapons without the need for actual explosions.
Proliferation Risks
Nuclear proliferation continues, with all nine nuclear-armed states investing heavily in modernising their arsenals. This raises concerns about lowered thresholds for using such weapons.
Recent conflicts involving nuclear threats have escalated, and the number of nuclear weapons operationally available has begun to rise again. Russia has tested advanced nuclear weapons, while China is rapidly expanding its military capabilities.
The New START Treaty, which confines the nuclear capabilities of the US and Russia, is set to expire soon, with no successor treaty negotiations underway.
The Doomsday Clock has moved closer to midnight this year, highlighting the heightened dangers facing the world today.
Central banks ease rate cut hopes amid inflation and wobbling tech stocks; markets adjust to Fed’s new stance.
Central banks pull back on rate cut expectations as tech stocks wobble and inflation pressures persist. Markets adjust cautiously to the Fed’s new tone.