Bolts missing from door, says Boeing blowout probe

A DOOR PANEL that flew off a Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet mid-flight on Jan. 5 appeared to be missing four key bolts, according to a preliminary report from US investigators that provided the first official look into how the frightening mishap took shape.

- DAVID SHEPARDSON

Lawmakers and the flying public have demanded answers to what caused the panel to fly off a brandnew Alaska Airlines-operated jet, in what has turned into a full-blown safety and reputational crisis for Boeing.

"Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened. An event like this must not happen on an airplane that leaves our factory," Boeing CEO

Dave Calhoun said in a statement. "We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers." The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounded 171 of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes after the incident, most operated by U.S.carriers United Airlines and Alaska Airlines, for inspections. Those planes were cleared to return to service in late January and nearly all are flying again.