In a sudden turn of events, Secretary of State Antony Blinken's travel plans were disrupted after his original plane was grounded due to a critical failure related to an oxygen leak. The incident occurred as he boarded a Boeing C-40, a modified Boeing 737 used for high-ranking government officials' trips.

As a result of the aircraft's malfunction, a new plane had to be arranged for Blinken. However, this replacement aircraft was unable to accommodate the press pool accompanying the Secretary of State. Consequently, the journalists were advised to make alternative commercial flight arrangements.

The grounding incident comes at a time when Boeing has already been under significant scrutiny. Recently, the door plug of an Alaska Airlines flight detached midair, leading to temporary grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes operated in the U.S. or by U.S. airlines. This incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to extend its investigation into Boeing's operations.

On Wednesday, the FAA announced that it will expand its probe to include a closer examination of Spirit AeroSystems, an aerospace company based in Wichita, Kansas. Spirit AeroSystems is responsible for manufacturing and installing plug doors for the Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes, which have faced multiple issues and raised safety concerns.

The incident involving Secretary Blinken's grounded plane serves as a further indication of the ongoing challenges facing Boeing and its supply chain. Authorities will now pay special attention to Spirit AeroSystems' role in the production and installation of plug doors for the troubled Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes. This expanded investigation by the FAA aims to ensure the safety and integrity of Boeing aircraft and provide greater accountability in the aviation industry.

Secretary Blinken's subsequent travel arrangements remain unaffected, and he is expected to resume his diplomatic missions as planned. As investigations into Boeing and its associated suppliers continue, authorities are determined to address any potential safety concerns and uphold the highest standards of air travel for passengers and government officials alike.

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