FAA halts Boeing 737 output, allows idle jets to fly

U.S. air-safety regulators on Wednesday put limits on Boeing's production of 737 MAX jets, but cleared the way for grounded jets to resume flying after airlines complete inspections.

- Alison Sider

Most of Boeing's MAX 9 jets were grounded on Jan. 6, a day after a near-catastrophe on an Alaska Airlines flight. A door plug ripped away from the plane shortly after it took off, leaving a gaping hole the size of an emergency exit in its side.

"We will not agree to any request from Boeing for an expansion in production or approve additional production lines for the 737 MAX until we are satisfied that the quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved," said FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker.

The FAA said its production limits affected Boeing's 737 MAX, not other commercial aircraft it makes. The agency said it would freeze MAX production rates at current levels.

Boeing has been producing about 30 of the jets a month at its Renton, Wash., factory.

The National Transportation Safety Board, which is leading the U.S. government's main probe of the blowout, is still investigating what caused it and might not issue its conclusions for months.

Before they are allowed to fly again, the FAA said, MAX 9 jets will go through a more rigorous maintenance process that includes inspection of specific bolts, guide tracks and fittings and detailed visual inspection of both door plugs.

Carriers will also need to tighten fasteners and fix any problems they find.

Whitaker said the "exhaustive, enhanced" review, which included scrutiny from a board of safety experts, has given the FAA confidence to allow the work to go forward.

"However, let me be clear: This won't be back to business as usual for Boeing," he said.