Boeing 737 Max

This is why I fly mostly Airbus Lingus now instead of the other lads who bought the rickety Boeings

I’ve never had a problem flying on the Max.

Once they have the exact same number of landings as take-offs, I’m happy.

An engineer told me from a max operator they're also having snags with the flight interlocks on their exits.

To be pedantic on whoever started that pprune thread, there is no such thing as a 737-900 MAX....there is the 737-900, which is a NG, and the 737-9, which is a MAX.

I'm sorry but my OCD is killing me here!

Should we really be leaving it up to the Airline companies to decide if they need the "Extra" safety exit or not?

Why is it there in the first place, and I presume by removing it adds extra seating capacity, or have they reduced capacity elsewhere, that then does not require it, e.g. extra legroom in First class?

And then when it is removed, Boeing still build the plane with the hole, and fills it in with some extra panels, and a few rivets or something.

Does this "Version" of the plane go through full testing? or its not needed?

The B737-9 MAX is designed for two uses

1. Business + economy configuration, medium haul - fewer seats - fewer exits
2. Economy only, maximum number of seats - more exits

The number, type and position of the emergency exits are a function of the number of seats. The manufacturer must demonstrate by practical test to show evacuation with 50% of available doors in under 90 seconds

All aircraft are the same structurally, the airline based on configuration enables this exit if needed

For case 1 you need fewer exits so this doorway is plugged, reduced weight and maintenance costs

For case 2 you need more exits so this doorway is active, no choice its required by FAA/EASA

The A321NEO LR has the same provisions, see the missing window 25A/F on Aer Lingus A321NEO. Thats actually the door. See Wizzair for a A321NEO with comes with the door built in.

I already hinted at that in my post, but the news articles just comment Alaska Airlines opted to not have this exit without really explaining it.

I was just going to post that picture myself! While the small window will still suck the person out, judging by the pictures it's a lot worse and much bigger, I thought it was just the small window, but it seems to be a decent chuck of the side as well!

How come nobody is wondering where the door / plug thing landed?

could of came crashing through some unlucky persons roof.

God almighty after reading that article who the hell would fly on a Boeing Max, after all the issues they have had!

This could very easily be a Boeing quality issue on the final assembly line rather than a problem exclusive to the MAX, they have struggled in recent years on both the 737 and 787 lines.

Plugged exits is neither unique to the MAX or Boeing, other manufacturers feature similar configurations such as Airbus with the A321neo but Boeing’s recent record doesn’t help them here.

Unfortunately, because it’s such a young aircraft, it looks very likely to be an issue it was delivered with but we’ll have to wait for the preliminary investigation before knowing if the finger is really pointed at Boeing.

Made in 'Merica

Does the 737 max 8 have this blanked off door?

It's almost like trying to shoehorn more seats and bigger engines into a 50 year old design isn't the best idea.

plug has been in use on 737-900 for a long time before 737-9 came in to existence. This is some Quality Control issue with either workmanship or parts used.

I don't rely on what's posted on this forum. Unless there's evidence to the contrary, I would expect that the US NTSB is amongst the parties that are actually engaged in establishing where the missing section landed and searching for it. That's all that really matters.

:Thumbs up

Boeing asked the FAA top exempt the Max 7 from safety rules, for a known defect, so it can start delivering planes to customers, with a known defect. The same defect is on the 8 and 9. Pilots have to remember to turn off the engine anti-ice system. There's no alert or reminder and they can forget. If they don't, the nacelle could break up and potentially penetrate the cabin or damage the tail and make the plane uncontrollable. Boeing say it's fine because it hasn't happened yet.

As far as I know they have ordered the 737 Max to stay on the ground.

Icelandair and Turkish fly this variant also.

I’ve three flights to book soon. Gran Canaria, France and Italy. Ryanair & Aer Lingus. I’m not a plane guy.

How am I supposed to know what plane I’ll be put on before I book , so I can avoid the Max ??

Ryanair don't have any planes with plugged escape exits so just as safe as Aer Lingus.

I've been watching the few videos of this and what's intriguing me is that the blurb on the back of the seats, embedded into the seats is all, max 8 this and max 8 that. Yet, this plane keeps being referred to as max 9?

As regards flying, at this stage with so many faults on this thing I wouldn't trust Boeing to put enough air in the tyres.

If I have to fly in the future I'll be flying with a carrier that is Airbus. Not Boeing. Given the choice between flying Boeing or taking a boat, I'll take the boat.