(Finance) – After the rear door of an Alaska Airlines plane blew off last Friday, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing, the Federal Aviation Administration announced today significant new actions for immediately increase oversight of Boeing manufacturing and manufacturing. Following the accident, the FAA ordered immediate action grounding of approximately 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft and at the same time launched ainvestigation into the company to determine whether Boeing failed to ensure that completed products conformed to the approved design and were in safe operating condition in accordance with FAA regulations.
In detail, the FAA will initiate a audit involving the Boeing 737-9 MAX production line and its suppliers to evaluate Boeing’s compliance with approved quality procedures. The results of the FAA’s audit analysis will determine whether additional audits are necessary. The FAA also announced a greater monitoring of Boeing 737-9 MAX in-service events; an assessment of security risks related to delegated authority and quality control and an examination of options for moving these functions under independent third-party entities.
“It is time to review the delegation of authority and assess any associated security risks – said theFAA Administrator Mike Whitaker –. The grounding of the 737-9 and multiple production issues identified in recent years require us to consider every option to reduce risk. The FAA is exploring using an independent third party to oversee Boeing’s inspections and its quality system.”
There recommissioning of the Boeing 737-9 MAX – assures the FAA – it will take place only after having ascertained the safety of the public in flight.