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Construction of a 737 Max 9 from Boeing: failed tests

Photo: Jason Redmond / REUTERS

According to a newspaper report, the US aircraft manufacturer Boeing failed more than a third of the tests in extensive safety tests carried out by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

When examining the production process for the 737 Max model, the company failed 33 of 89 tests, the New York Times newspaper reported.

The reason for the inspection was the demolition of a cabin wall during a flight at the beginning of January.

During the comprehensive investigation, Boeing also failed the test that focused on the door stopper of the ruptured component, the newspaper wrote.

During the tests, among other things, concerns were raised about the technicians because Boeing apparently failed to "identify the knowledge required to operate its processes."

The supplier Spirit AeroSystems, which makes the fuselage for the Max, only passed six of thirteen audits, the report continues.

Spirit also failed to assemble the cabin wall component.

In response to a request from the Reuters news agency, Boeing said it was continuing to make immediate changes based on the FAA audit.

A plan to improve safety and quality is being developed.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Spirit AeroSystems have not yet responded to inquiries, according to Reuters.

Last week, the FAA announced that it had found "violations in the control of manufacturing processes, the handling and storage of parts, and product inspection at Boeing."

On January 5th, part of the cabin wall of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 with 177 people on board broke out at a height of around five kilometers.

The more than 170 people on board were largely shocked.

mmq/Reuters