In response to an incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight and a subsequent class-action lawsuit, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced plans to enhance its oversight of Boeing's production and manufacturing processes. The FAA stated that it will conduct an audit of Boeing's 737-9 MAX production line and its suppliers to assess compliance with approved quality procedures.

FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker expressed the need to re-evaluate the delegation of authority and examine potential safety risks. He emphasized that the grounding of the 737-9 MAX and the identification of production-related issues necessitate a thorough examination to mitigate risks. As part of this effort, the FAA is actively considering involving an independent third party to oversee Boeing's inspections and quality system.

The agency will also implement increased monitoring of in-service events related to the Boeing 737-9 MAX. Additionally, safety risks associated with delegated authority and quality oversight will be assessed, with potential consideration of transferring these functions to independent third-party entities.

The decision comes in the wake of an incident last week when an Alaska Airlines flight made an emergency landing after a door plug detached from the fuselage mid-flight. The class-action lawsuit, filed by passengers, alleges that Boeing delivered the aircraft to Alaska Airlines without properly securing the door plug to the airframe or due to defective installation materials.

According to the lawsuit, the incident resulted in physical injuries and psychological trauma for passengers. The sudden depressurization of the aircraft caused various items, including cell phones, to be sucked out, resulting in a chaotic and distressing experience. The flight crew managed to safely land the plane at Portland's airport.

The FAA has grounded all 171 Boeing 737-9 MAX airplanes in the United States pending ongoing investigations by the agency and the National Transportation Safety Board. The agency has not provided a timeline for when these aircraft can safely return to service.

The class-action lawsuit, filed by the Strittmatter Kessler Koehler Moore law firm in Seattle, marks the first civil action arising from the incident. Other law firms have indicated their intentions to file separate lawsuits on behalf of additional passengers affected by the incident.

The FAA's decision to ramp up oversight reflects the agency's commitment to ensuring the safety of air travel. By scrutinizing Boeing's production procedures and exploring third-party involvement, the FAA aims to address any potential deficiencies and reduce risk in the industry.