Do all 737-9 Max have plug doors? If not title should be updated
> Every Boeing 737-9 Max with a plug door will remain grounded until the FAA finds each can safely return to operation.
> Every Boeing 737-9 Max with a plug door will remain grounded until the FAA finds each can safely return to operation.
But, the majoity, if not all, Max-9 operating in the US have the plug. The high density version is, IIRC, mostly sold to low budget European carriers.
As of two days ago, his current understanding is the plugs are removed and reinstalled when the interiors are installed. Meaning it could have been mfg correctly (in Wichita, KS) and then reinstalled incorrectly (Renton, WA?).
He isn't yet clear about who was responsible for what. Like how this could have been missed by the multiple inspections.
Heresay, so take it or leave it. Just repeating what he tells me. I've encouraged him to comment, but he's not that kind of person.
Basically a bunch (4 really large, 4+ smaller, IIRC) bolts that connect the plug to brackets on the fuselage. The big bolts have castle nuts and cotter pins, the smaller bolts don’t appear to have retention devices.
In one of the photos (I believe it was a United 737) those bolts appeared loose. Again, all what I remember seeing in photos, so YMMV.
The real door probably uses the same brackets and basic attachment points, as it’s designed to be retrofitted after delivery should the operator decide to increase seat count.
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/boeings-737-max-9-airc...
says:
"Southwest told FOX Business that the Max 8 and Max 7 models in their existing fleet do not have the exit-door plug like the one involved in the Alaska Airlines incident on Jan. 5. Overall, its fleet and operation are unaffected."
The title should still clarify that it's only max 9s with a plug door but as far as I understand that should be pretty much all 9s in the US: the additional exit is only needed in the densest configurations which are only used by ULCC, 85% of the global MAX9 fleet has a plug.