Boeing is grappling with yet another technical setback as a Boeing 757-200, operated by United Airlines, experienced a tire blowout during takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport.
Only 25 Minute Delay
Despite losing a wheel, the aircraft, carrying 174 passengers and seven crew members bound for Denver, managed to land safely, albeit with a 25-minute delay, according to 20minutes.
United Airlines confirmed that the tire was recovered at the Los Angeles airport, and an investigation into the cause of the incident is underway. The aircraft, delivered to the airline in 1994, has been out of production since 2004, according to Boeing spokesperson.
Immediate Inspection
This incident has prompted a new investigation by the U.S. aviation regulator, the FAA, adding to Boeing's ongoing challenges with production and quality issues. The company's reputation has been under scrutiny following a series of incidents, including a door detachment on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 of Alaska Airlines earlier this year.
In response to these concerns, the FAA has ordered the immediate inspection of over 2,600 Boeing 737 aircraft in the U.S. due to oxygen generator attachment issues. Boeing, in efforts to address these issues, presented a comprehensive plan in late May aimed at enhancing quality standards. Recently, Boeing also reached an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice to settle a case related to the 2018 and 2019 crashes involving 737 MAX 8 aircraft, which resulted in 346 fatalities.
This settlement, involving an additional fine of $243.6 million and a minimum investment of $455 million in compliance and safety programs, follows a previous $2.5 billion plea deal in 2021. The Department of Justice alleged that Boeing had failed to uphold the terms of the earlier agreement, highlighting ongoing challenges for the aerospace manufacturer.
