THE FAA IS NOT ALLOWING BOEING TO EXPAND PRODUCTION OF THE 737 MAX JETS FOLLOWING THE MIDAIR SCARE EARLIER THIS MONTH WHEN A PANEL FLEW OFF AN ALASKA AIRLINES PLANE.
THE FAA SAYS THAT THE HALT IN PRODUCTION IS NEEDED TO ENSURE ACCOUNTABILITY BY BOEING – ADDING THAT IT WILL NOT AGREE TO ANY REQUESTS FOR EXPANSION UNTIL BOEING RESOLVES QUALITY CONTROL ISSUES.
THE FAA ALSO SAYS EACH OF THE 171 GROUNDED PLANES MUST FACE DETAILED INSPECTIONS OF DOZENS OF COMPONENTS – INCLUDING BOLTS, GUIDE TRACKS, AND FASTENERS — BEFORE THEY CAN RETURN TO SERVICE.
BOEING SAYS IT WILL WORK WITH THE AIRLINES TO COMPLETE THESE INSPECTIONS.