NTSB recommends changes after Alaska Airlines incident

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – The NTSB made 19 formal recommendations to both Boeing and the FAA after the door plug flew off of an Alaska Airlines flight in January of 2024. 

Among the recommendations, the NTSB recommended the FAA increase audits and inspections and require children under two to travel in their own seats with seatbelts, instead of as “lap children,” which is allowed by the FAA now. 

The NTSB said the loss of pressure was so strong, it tore a passenger’s shirt off. 

In a statement released after the NTSB’s hearing, the FAA said it’s already changed how it oversees Boeing and has already implemented a number of the NTSB’s recommendations. 

“Those that have not are currently under review,” the FAA said. 

NTSB investigators found, during repairs to the door plug at a Boeing facility, four bolts were removed and never put back. The investigation found 23 of the 24 people who worked on Boeing’s door team had never removed one of the door plugs before, and the one who had was out of the country on vacation. 

NTSB staff said Boeing didn’t have enough safety practices to make sure the door plug was properly reinstalled. 

Spirit Aerosystems built the fuselage and originally installed the door plug. Spirit and Boeing said they’re working to reinforce the door plug, so it’s not reliant exclusively on those bolts. 

“This isn’t all on Boeing or Spirit. I have lots of questions about where the FAA was during all of this,” said NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. “The FAA is the absolute last barrier of defense when it comes to ensuring aviation safety.” 

Last July, Boeing announced its purchasing Spirit Aerosystems to improve safety.