With the year less than a month old, Boeing has already seen several issues with some of its planes, prompting action from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA announced this month that it was ordering a “temporary grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines” after the planes experienced several issues around the globe.
“The Emergency Airworthiness Directive (EAD) that will be issued shortly will require operators to inspect aircraft before further flight that do not meet the inspection cycles specified in the EAD,” the FAA wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Newsweek has compiled a list of incidents that Boeing planes have experienced since the start of the year.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
January 5
A Boeing 737 MAX-9 operated by Alaska Airlines flying to Ontario, California, was forced to make an emergency landing at the Portland International Airport after a portion of its fuselage ripped off.
A video posted by BNO News on X shows the plane making the emergency landing as a portion of it has been ripped off.
“Several items, including phones, were sucked out of the plane when it suddenly depressurized. Everyone is safe,” the post said.
In a statement following the incident, Alaska Airlines said that it was grounding all of its 737-9 MAX planes.
“This remains a dynamic situation and we greatly appreciate the patience of our guests. We are notifying those whose flights are canceled and working to reaccommodate them,” the statement said.
January 13
A Boeing 737-800 operated by Japan’s All Nippon Airways was forced to cancel its takeoff on January 13 after a window in the cockpit cracked.
According to Reuters, a spokesperson for the airline said that the crack was on an outer layer of the window and noted that it “was not something that affected the flight’s control or pressurisation.”
January 17
Secretary of State Antony Blinken was scheduled to travel on a Boeing 737 from Switzerland on January 17 but was forced to board a different plane after an issue relating to a possible oxygen leak.
Matt Miller, a spokesperson for the State Department said that the Boeing 737 experience a mechanical issue, and a second Boeing airplane was sent to take Blinken back to the U.S.
January 19
Videos posted on social media on January 19 captured flames coming out of a Boeing 747-8 in Miami, Florida.
“Atlas Air Flight 95 returned safely to Miami International Airport around 10:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, Jan. 18, after the crew reported an engine failure,” a spokesperson for the FAA told Newsweek last week. “The Boeing 747 was headed to Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico. The FAA will investigate.”
January 20
A Boeing 757 operated by Delta Airlines lost a wheel during an attempted takeoff. A spokesperson for Delta confirmed the incident to Newsweek and said: “Delta Flight 982 ATL/BOG was taxiing for departure when a nose wheel tire came loose from the gear….All customers and their bags were removed from the aircraft, transferred to the gate, and onto a replacement aircraft. We apologize to our customers for the inconvenience.”
January 23
In a statement provided to Newsweek, Boeing announced that it was planning to hold a “Quality Stand Down” on January 25 in Renton, Washington.
“During the session, production, delivery and support teams will pause for a day so employees can take part in working sessions focused on quality,” the announcement said.
The statement also included portions of an internal message sent to employees that said: “The first of the stand downs will be held Thursday for the 737 program. Production, delivery and support efforts will pause for a day so teammates can take part in working sessions focused on quality.”
In a statement on January 6, Boeing said it would support the FAA’s decision to inspect their 737 aircraft.
“Safety is our top priority and we deeply regret the impact this event has had on our customers and their passengers,” the statement said. “In addition, a Boeing technical team is supporting the NTSB’s investigation into the Jan. 5 accident. We will remain in close contact with our regulator and customers.”
Newsweek reached out to Boeing via email for comment.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.