The investigation report revealed that the bolts securing the door were missing

A series of setbacks for Boeing. Several bolts blocking the doors of the 737 MAX 9 that separated mid-flight in early January during a trip to the American company Alaska Airlines were missing, according to the preliminary investigation report of the Air Safety Agency Transportation (NTSB), published on Tuesday, February 6.

Absence of wear or deformation around specific holes, according to the NTSB “Indicates that the four bolts that prevent the cap holder from moving up are missing before it moves”.

The agency has collected written documents and photos showing Boeing workers removed four bolts at these locations during an inspection at the Renton, Wash., factory before the plane’s delivery last October.

Many failures at Boeing

An operation was carried out to replace five damaged rivets in the cabin of the aircraft. Other photos taken after replacing the rivets show that in at least three points, the bolts were not reinstalled.

This door was used to block the exit and was not intended to be opened, this model already has an adequate emergency exit in this configuration. On January 5, she flew aboard Alaska Airlines MAX 9 connecting Portland, Oregon with Ontario, California. Only a few minor injuries were sustained in the incident.

In recent months, Boeing has experienced another episode of failure and had to slow down its deliveries due to problems in the fuselage, particularly the rear bulkhead of the aircraft.