The Federal Aviation Administration said it would be slow and deliberate before approving the 737 Max 9 jets to fly again following an incident when a side panel flew off during flight of a Boeing-made airplane.
Now the government agency wants even more data from the airplane manufacturer.
The FAA said it wants to have data on 40 more planes and the plug doors that Were apparently the cause of the Alaska Airlines accident on January 5. That model of airplane, used primarily by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, has been grounded since the mishap.
“We are working to make sure nothing like this happens again,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. “Our only concern is the safety of American travelers and the Boeing 737-9 MAX will not return to the skies until we are entirely satisfied it is safe.”
That is welcome news for some, when speculation had the planes returning as soon as Saturday, January 13.
Boeing has said it would cooperate with any investigation but has not commented on the FAA and its latest request for additional data.
There were no serious injuries in the mishap, but it has fueled concern over the quality controls of the airline manufacturing. Despite an entire piece of the fuselage being blown off of the plain, the pilot was able to make an emergency landing.
This will surely extend the grounding process. Both Alaska and United have said they found loose screws in some doors upon further inspection of their Max 9 planes. The FAA will dictate the inspection process. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have initiated investigations of the accident.
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have combined to cancel hundreds of flights that use the Max 9 aircraft.
One of the suppliers to Boeing is also under fire.
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