Boeing manufacturing and design issues

Concerns over Boeing manufacturing issues mounted in January 2024, when an emergency exit door ejected from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, causing uncontrolled decompression.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board initiated inquiries in response to the incident; the former's investigation discovered further instances of manufacturing lapses.

In August 2023, Boeing discovered improperly drilled holes in aft pressure bulkheads in certain 737 MAX aircraft, forcing manufacturing delays.

[4] The fuselage and door plugs were initially manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems and the 737 MAX 9 involved in the incident was certified in November.

[10] In March 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States Department of Justice had started a criminal investigation into Boeing, interviewing the crew on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.