@kegill Fwiw, it seems unclear at this point if the fault lies more with the manufacturer or the operator.
When I fly, I check every bolt before I ever sit in the cockpit. The vibrations from the engines love to kick bolts out, and if they're missing, I don't fly until the mechanics replace them.
If the airlines aren't properly checking the bolts, or are not doing so often enough, then this might not be Boeing's fault at all.
“United Airlines on Monday said preliminary inspections of grounded Boeing 737 Max 9 planes have turned up loose bolts and other issues with the part of the aircraft that failed on an Alaska Airlines flight over Portland, Ore., last week, raising concerns of a systemic problem with the jetliner.”
https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/01/08/boeing-737-max-inspections-begin/
@kegill Having now read the preliminary NTSB report, it would appear this fault did lie with Boeing and its subcontractors.
https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Documents/DCA24MA063%20Preliminary%20report.pdf
I do not see how a subcontractor is involved. Renton employees did not install the four bolts.
Widespread reports that Renton employees routinely removed the door plug to install interior components (seats).
I also still have heartburn with Wichita being referenced as a subcontractor as though it had not been part of the company for more than 50 years before McDonnell Douglas alumni spun it off to “enhance stockholder value.”
@kegill Yeah, I'm referring to the bit about where Spirit AeroSystems replaced rivets and then the bolts were not in following photos.
But, even if it is a subcontractor, that doesn't make it any less Boeing's fault. Companies are responsible for their subcontractors like managers are responsible for their employees.
I’m pretty sure courts would split responsibility.
@LouisIngenthron @kegill FWIW Netflix have already been over this fairly thoroughly. Obviously not the specific incident, but the generality. https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81272421
@LouisIngenthron
These are not bolts that airlines normally service.
My money is on a “smart tools” inspection.