SPRING 2024

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GLOBALFASTENERNEWS.COM SECTION 301 TARIFF REVIEW CONTINUES from page 68
Reports indicate that the Biden administration will
look to rebalance the tariffs, potentially reducing those
that are not in the U.S. interest and raising tariffs on
other items, including on imports from China in the EV
and battery sectors.
No Bolts: Door Blowout Caused By
Boeing Error
Four bolts used to secure the panel that ultimately
blew off an Alaska Airlines plane during a January
5 flight were removed and not replaced at Boeing’s
factory in Washington, according to a preliminary report
by the National Transportation Safety Board.
“The panel, known as a door plug, was opened to
repair damaged rivets on the plane’s body, known as
the fuselage,” the New York Times reports. “The report
did not say who removed the bolts keeping the door
plug in place. But the safety board said it appeared
that not all the bolts were put back once the door
was reinstalled on the plane after the rivets had been
repaired.”
As evidence, the NTSB provided a photograph of
the door plug after it was reinstalled but before the
plane’s interior was restored. Three of the four bolts
appear to be missing, while the location of the fourth
bolt is covered with insulation.
The investigation also found that the lack of certain
“contact damage or deformation” to hinge guide fittings
recovered from the door “indicate(s) that the four
bolts that prevent upward movement” of the plug were
missing before the door separated.
Following the report’s release, Boeing issued a
statement.
“Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing
is accountable for what happened,” CEO Dave Calhoun
stated. “An event like this must not happen on an
airplane that leaves our factory. We simply must do
better for our customers and their passengers.”
Boeing is taking immediate action to strengthen
quality, Calhoun said.
The company has implemented a control plan
to ensure all 737-9 mid-exit door plugs are installed
according to specifications:
¤ Instituted new inspections of the door plug
assembly and similar structures at our supplier’s
factory and on Boeing’s production line.
¤ Added signage and protocol to fully document
when the door plug is opened or removed in our factory,
ensuring it is reinstalled and inspected prior to delivery.
Also, Boeing is implementing plans to improve
overall quality and stability across the 737 production
system, including:
¤ Layering additional inspections further into
the supply chain and collaborating with suppliers on
production enhancements.
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