In a new report released by the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), it has been revealed that a door on a Boeing 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines may not have been properly secured, leading to an in-flight incident. The incident occurred shortly after take-off in January on Alaska Airlines Flight 2182.

According to the preliminary findings, four key bolts that were intended to secure the unused door to the fuselage were found to be missing. This allowed the door panel, known as a door plug, to move out of position and break away from the aircraft, leaving a significant hole in the fuselage. The sudden loss of cabin pressure caused air to rush out and the interior atmosphere to equalize with the thinner air outside the plane.

Photographic evidence suggested that the door plug, which was manufactured by Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, had been removed at the factory due to damage sustained during the production process. When the plug was reinstalled, it was discovered that at least three of the four locking bolts were not properly put back in place.

The report highlights the lack of damage to the areas where the bolts should have been, suggesting that the bolts were missing even before the door moved out of position. This indicates a potential oversight in the installation process.

The NTSB's findings have prompted increased safety checks by the US aviation regulator. The head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) informed US lawmakers about the escalated measures being taken to ensure the safety of Boeing 737 Max aircraft.

In a separate incident, Sir Tim Clark, chairman of Emirates Airlines, criticized Boeing after a panel on a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet blew out during flight. The damage caused four mobile homes to catch fire shortly after the pilot made an emergency call, according to fire officials.

As investigation into these incidents continues, the aviation industry remains vigilant in addressing any potential safety concerns within the Boeing 737 Max fleet.