In the wake of a recent incident involving a LATAM Airlines flight from Sydney to Auckland that left 50 passengers injured, new details have emerged about a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit that found significant non-compliance by Boeing in the production of its 737 Max aircraft. The audit, which followed an emergency landing of an Alaska Airlines flight in January, revealed that Boeing failed 33 out of 89 sections, with regulators identifying 97 examples of alleged non-compliance with safety best practices.

The incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 raised concerns about the safety of the 737 Max 9 jet and the overall production standards of Boeing. It was discovered that critical bolts meant to secure a door plug were missing from the aircraft, suggesting potential lapses in the manufacturing process. Both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines subsequently found loose hardware on their grounded 737 Max 9 planes, prompting an ongoing FAA investigation to determine if Boeing "failed to ensure" the aircraft were in compliance with regulations for safe operation.

The LATAM Airlines Flight 800, different from the Alaska flight, involved a larger Boeing model, the 787. While the Alaska flight carried 174 passengers and six crew members, the LATAM flight had approximately 260 passengers and nine crew members on board when it experienced a sudden drop during its route to Auckland. The jolt caused some passengers to be thrown into the aircraft's ceiling, resulting in around 50 injuries, with 13 requiring hospital treatment.

LATAM Airlines stated that the flight experienced technical issues that led to a strong movement of the aircraft. The New Zealand Transport Accident Investigation Commission has announced its intention to seize the cockpit voice recorder and flight data recorder from the plane to gather more information about the incident. Initial reports indicate a possible temporary malfunction in the 787's flight control system.

In light of recent aircraft incidents worldwide, the union representing American Airlines pilots is urging the FAA to increase oversight of airlines and maintenance facilities. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into Boeing, stemming from the Alaska Airlines incident.

Boeing has stated that it is cooperating with all ongoing investigations and is making immediate changes to enhance its quality control and safety procedures. FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker assured the public that oversight of Boeing's production process has been significantly strengthened, leading to the certification of the 737 Max 9 jets as safe.

The audit and its findings were initially reported by The New York Times. The investigation into the Alaska Airlines flight and the LATAM Airlines incident are ongoing, with authorities committed to determining the cause of these incidents and ensuring the safety of future air travel for passengers worldwide.