Investigators Fault Boeing, FAA for Door-Plug Blowout

US Safety Board is set to vote on likely causes of January 2024 accident

- Allison Pohle

Federal investigators said Boeing's failure to provide adequate training, guidance, and oversight for its manufacturing operations was to blame for the door plug that flew off a Boeing 737 MAX plane last year.

The National Transportation Safety Board also found that ineffective regulatory enforcement contributed to the accident, which terrified passengers and crew on an Alaska Airlines flight but didn't result in any deaths or serious injuries.

Boeing is still grappling with fallout from the incident, which led to more stringent federal oversight of Boeing's manufacturing operations and leadership changes at the company. The NTSB held a public meeting Tuesday to share findings of its investigation into the door-plug blowout.

"An accident like this only happens when there are multiple system failures," NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said at the meeting.

The findings: The door plug left Boeing's factory in Renton, Washington, without four bolts needed to keep its fuselage panel in place.