Inspections Ongoing: Boeing 737 Max 9 Remain Grounded

The US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has announced that 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes will remain grounded until they are deemed safe. This decision comes after part of an Alaska Airlines plane's fuselage fell off during a flight last Friday, leading to flight disruptions and cancellations for thousands of passengers. The FAA stated that their main priority is ensuring the safety of the flying public. United Airlines has already grounded 79 planes, and Alaska Airlines expects flight disruptions to continue into the following week. The FAA has requested assistance from the public in locating the missing plug door, which is believed to have fallen in the western suburbs of Portland. During the incident, Alaska Airlines flight 1282 from Portland to Ontario experienced an emergency descent after reaching 16,000ft. Passengers witnessed a substantial section of the plane's outer shell falling to the ground, leaving a large gap in the fuselage. The plane managed to land safely back in Portland, but some passengers sustained minor injuries.