United, Alaska Air discover loose parts on grounded planes
Both United and Alaska Airlines have discovered loose bolts on Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.
‘Additional tightening’ will be carried out after the airlines began inspections of the grounded planes.
United Airlines said ‘installation issues would be remedied’ before the jets return to service.
Alaska Airlines found ‘some loose hardware’ on grounded Boeing Max 9 planes, it said.
The airlines were ordered to inspect the aircraft after a fuselage panel blew out off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 jet on Friday.
“Since we began preliminary inspections, we have found instances that appear to relate to installation issues in the door plug,” a United spokesperson said.
The fallen door plug landed in a resident’s backyard in Oregon.
NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said the bolts may already have been missing but could have come loose after the door plug blew out.
Most US-based Boeing 737 Max 9s are operated by United Airlines and Alaska Air.
So far, hundreds of flights have been scrapped because of the grounding.
Related News Stories: Hundreds of flights canceled due to Boeing Max grounding … United Airlines brings back pre boarding for families with young kids … Alaska Air door panel found in Oregon backyard – TravelMole ExpressJet Airlines to cease operations by next month – TravelMole Alaska Air sued over off-duty pilot sabotage attempt – TravelMole New Southwest Airlines Flights to Santa Barbara Take Off in April … Trans States Airlines to cease flying at year-end – TravelMole Alaska Air to buy Hawaiian Airlines in $1.9 billion deal – TravelMole Southwest Airlines latest carrier to announce flights from Paine Field … Air Canada, United boost transborder flights with two new routes …
Related News Stories: United, Alaska find loose parts on 737 MAX planes, raising pressure ... United and Alaska Airlines find loose parts on Boeing 737 Maxes United Airlines, Alaska Airlines find loose bolts on other grounded ... Alaska Airlines warned of issues with Boeing plane before blowout ... Airlines United and Alaska find loose bolts on Boeing 737 Max 9 ... United, Alaska Find Loose Parts on Some Boeing 737 MAX 9 Jets ... Alaska and Untied Airlines report loose parts in Boeing Max 9 door ... United, Alaska Air find loose hardware on Boeing 737 Max 9s United finds loose bolts on 737 Max 9 planes in wake of Alaska ... United, Alaska Airlines find loose hardware on door plugs on ...
Learn more about : United Airlines ( N. America )
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt