One of the “door team” had experience – was on leave

Boeing

Boeing receives criticism after the plane crash: “Should never have happened”

Felix Wilow

Updated 00.39 | Published 00.29

24 technicians were part of Boeing’s “door team”.

Of them, only one had experience with door plugs.

That person was on vacation.

At an altitude of 5,000 meters, 

the door plug suddenly came loose

 from the 

Boeing

 737 MAX 9 plane over 

Portland.

The accident occurred in January last year. Now the crew is being praised by the US Accident Investigation Board for their “heroic efforts”.

At the same time, the aviation giant is getting a real kick.

– The crew should not have had to be heroes, because this accident should never have happened, says chairman Jennifer Homendy according to NBC News.

 

An investigator examines Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 in January last year. Photo: AP

After the 17-month investigation, it has emerged that the bolts holding the door plug in place were removed without being replaced. A serious deficiency and a sign that Boeing did not do enough to ensure safety on board, the commission says.

And that was not the only problem.

– An accident like this only happens when there are multiple system failures, says Homendy.

 

Commission chairwoman Jennifer Homendy. Photo: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Boeing factory workers have told the Swedish Accident Investigation Board investigators that they felt pressured to work quickly and were asked to do tasks even though they lacked the necessary qualifications.

– That's how mistakes are made, says one person.

Of the 24 technicians who were part of the “door team”, only one had ever removed that type of door plug. That person was reportedly on vacation at the time.

The door plug came loose shortly after takeoff and it took several days before the part was found in a garden in Portland.

 

At an altitude of 5,000 meters, the door plug suddenly came loose. Photo: AP

The plane was forced to make an emergency landing, but no one was injured in the accident. Production of the model was immediately stopped and the US Federal Aviation Administration holds Boeing responsible for the accident.

Boeing has previously been grounded after serious accidents. In 2021, the airline entered into a settlement with the US Department of Justice as a result of two fatal accidents  and paid the equivalent of SEK 20 billion.