NTSB Questions Boeing on 737 Max Incident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting a two-day hearing into the January 5 midflight blowout of a door plug panel from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max, an incident that has further damaged Boeing's safety reputation. Investigators will question Boeing officials about the failure to replace four bolts during a repair at a Boeing factory, with preliminary reports indicating that this work was not documented. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy acknowledged the trauma experienced by passengers and crew, emphasizing the impact of such incidents. The hearing aims to fill gaps in understanding and assess Boeing's adherence to safety protocols, though the NTSB will not determine a probable cause for the incident at this stage. Witnesses scheduled to testify include Boeing's senior vice president of quality and representatives from Spirit AeroSystems, which manufactured the fuselage components. This fact-finding hearing is expected to take over a year to conclude.