An anonymous whistleblower has come forward with shocking allegations regarding the recent near-disaster onboard an Alaska Airlines jet. According to the whistleblower, the fuselage panel that blew off during the flight was initially removed for repair and then improperly reinstalled at Boeing's Washington factory.

The whistleblower, who claims to have access to Boeing's manufacturing records, detailed their findings on the aviation website Leeham News. They identified themselves as a current Boeing employee and explained that the four bolts responsible for preventing the door from being lost at 16,000 feet were incorrectly reinstalled at the Renton, Washington facility.

This revelation, if true, shifts the blame from Boeing's supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, which originally installed the panel in Wichita, Kansas, to Boeing itself. The whistleblower stated, "The reason the door blew off is stated in black and white in Boeing's own records. It is also very, very stupid and speaks volumes about the quality culture at certain portions of the business."

The incident in question occurred on January 5 when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 departed from Portland, Oregon, and was forced to make an emergency landing after the door plug blew out at 16,000 feet. The whistleblower claims that the crucial four bolts, which prevent the door plug from moving during flight, were not properly installed by Boeing.

Alaska Airlines' CEO, Ben Minicucci, confirmed that loose bolts were found on many Boeing 737 Max 9s during inspections following the mid-air cabin panel blowout. The episode has not only damaged Boeing's reputation but also raised concerns about the company's manufacturing practices. United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, expressed disappointment and emphasized the need for Boeing to take real action to restore its reputation.

The whistleblower further alleged that the work conducted by mechanics on the Alaska jet should have been inspected but was not, due to a process failure and the use of two separate systems to record the work done. The formal system, called Common Manufacturing Execution System (CMES), failed to document the necessary inspection, while an informal messaging board, Situation Action Tracker (SAT), was used. Boeing has yet to release a comment, citing the ongoing investigation by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board.

In response to the serious safety concerns raised, Boeing has announced a one-day "Quality Stand Down" at its Renton factory. The pause aims to evaluate production processes and identify ways to enhance safety. Employees will participate in working sessions focused on quality improvement during this time. The company plans to hold similar sessions at other factories in the future.

The whistleblower's claims and the subsequent pause in production have raised questions about Boeing's commitment to quality and compliance. The investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident continues, and the findings will shed further light on Boeing's responsibility for the accident.

The reputation of one of the world's leading aircraft manufacturers hangs in the balance as stakeholders eagerly await real action and assurance from Boeing to restore confidence in its products.