United Airlines (NASDAQ:UAL) and Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) said they found loose parts on some Boeing (NYSE:BA) 737 Max 9 planes that they inspected in response to a midair emergency on Friday. The discovery indicates quality-control issues at Boeing (BA) aren’t confined to the Alaska Airlines (ALK) plane that was forced to make an emergency landing.
The airlines disclosed their findings before the National Transportation Safety Board provided more details about the incident. A door plug covering an unused emergency exit blew out of the plane at an altitude of 16,000 feet after moving from stops that are supposed to keep it in place.
NTSB investigators examine a door plug that the agency said fell from an Alaska Airlines plane soon after takeoff from Portland International Airport on Friday. Source: National Transportation Safety Board
Four bolts were missing, investigators said. They’re looking into whether the bolts had been installed when the cabin was being built.
United (UAL) on Monday said in a statement that inspections “had found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug—for example, bolts that needed additional tightening.” The airline said maintenance staff would fix the plug to receive approval to operate the planes again.
Alaska Airlines (ALK) said initial reports from technicians accessed the plug area and saw loose hardware on some planes. The carrier said it will make necessary repairs to satisfy its safety standards and compliance with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Boeing’s (BA) stock fell 8% to a five-week low during regular trading on Monday.