India's aviation regulator has issued a directive requiring an inspection of all Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft owned by domestic operators in the wake of an incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737-9 Max aircraft. The California-bound plane was forced to make an emergency landing on Friday after a cabin panel blew out during its climb out of Portland, Oregon. Although the cause of the apparent structural failure is not yet known, there were no reported injuries.
.gif)
While none of India's air operators have the Boeing 737-9 Max model in their fleets, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered a one-time inspection of the emergency exits on all Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft currently operating as part of their fleet.
The Alaska Airlines flight, which had 171 passengers and six crew on board, landed safely after the loss of a cabin panel, but the airline has grounded 65 similar planes as a precautionary measure. The grounded planes will only return to service after undergoing maintenance and safety inspections. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the incident, while Boeing has stated that it is also looking into the matter.
The DGCA's directive is a proactive measure aimed at ensuring the safety of the flying public and preventing any similar incidents from occurring in India. The inspection of the emergency exits is an important step to ensure that all safety mechanisms are in place and functioning correctly. The NTSB's investigation into the incident will provide valuable insights into the root cause of the cabin panel blowout, which will be critical in preventing similar incidents in the future. Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining high safety standards in aviation and the need for constant vigilance to prevent any compromise in safety.