Federal officials continue to examine the terrifying midflight blowout of an Alaska Airlines aircraft's fuselage, as key details emerge during the investigation. United Airlines has also reported finding loose door plug bolts on its own Boeing 737 Max 9s, leading to the nationwide grounding of certain aircraft.

On Monday, United Airlines confirmed that it had discovered loose bolts on an undisclosed number of its 737 Max 9 aircraft. The company is conducting FAA-mandated inspections following the alarming incident that occurred on Friday. In a statement, United Airlines stated that during preliminary inspections, they identified instances of installation issues with the door plug, including bolts that required additional tightening.

In a significant development, a Portland schoolteacher named Bob discovered the missing refrigerator-sized Boeing 737 Max 9 fuselage door plug in his yard. Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), revealed during a news conference that Bob promptly contacted the NTSB with this crucial finding.

The component had been missing since it blew off the aircraft while it was flying at 16,000 feet shortly after taking off from Portland, Oregon. The incident caused a gaping hole in the side of the plane and resulted in a harrowing ordeal for the 177 people on board, including ripped headrests and items being sucked from the cabin. As a result, all Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft are now grounded, and many flights have been canceled.

The investigation, however, faces challenges due to the loss of critical cockpit audio recordings caused by a device setting error, as reported by Homendy. Despite this setback, she emphasized that the exterior inspection revealed no structural damage to the airplane, but there was significant damage to non-critical components inside the aircraft.

Many unanswered questions remain regarding prior warnings about the plane's pressurization system and the safety of other Boeing aircraft. Homendy stated that the NTSB's present focus is on this specific aircraft in order to determine the cause of the incident, prevent a recurrence, and potentially issue urgent safety recommendations if necessary.

NTSB officials will continue their meticulous examination of the plane's interior and will recover and analyze the detached door plug. Boeing has expressed its agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration's decision to ground the 171 affected 737 Max 9 planes for emergency inspections, which are estimated to take four to eight hours per aircraft.

Boeing has already provided instructions to airlines and maintenance companies on how to carry out the necessary inspections. The FAA has approved these instructions. Spirit AeroSystems, the supplier responsible for manufacturing the fuselage of Boeing's 737 Max jets, confirmed that it is working closely with Boeing to address the issue.

Alaska Airlines, the operator of the aircraft involved in the incident, is also cooperating with Boeing to understand the cause of the incident on Flight 1282. The airline had imposed restrictions on the affected aircraft, preventing them from flying over the ocean to Hawaii. This precaution was taken to ensure that the plane could quickly return to an airport if any warning lights were to activate, according to Homendy.

The recurring fail light related to auto pressurization, which had activated three times over the past month, is being investigated. However, it is unclear whether there is a connection between these warning lights and the midflight blowout. Each time the warning light came on, it was addressed by the flight crew, tested by maintenance, and then reset. The NTSB has requested documentation on all defects since the aircraft's delivery in October 2023.

As the investigation progresses, interviews with the flight crew and examinations of the cabin's damage have shed light on the chaotic scene inside the aircraft during the explosive decompression. Flight attendants acted swiftly to ensure the safety of four unaccompanied minors on board, ensuring they were equipped with oxygen masks and secured with lap belts.

The investigation into the Alaska Airlines midflight blowout remains ongoing, with experts working diligently to determine the cause and prevent similar incidents from occurring. The grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 planes reflects a commitment to safety and thorough inspections.