The recent incident involving a crack in the cockpit window of a Japan All Nippon Airways (ANA) Boeing 737-800 aircraft has not only caused the flight to return to its departure airport but also raised concerns in the aviation industry. This issue comes in the wake of another incident that occurred in Alaska Airlines involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9, leading to a grounding of the entire fleet of that model.
The ANA flight, carrying 59 passengers and six crew members, was en route to Toyama airport when the crack was discovered. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and the flight control or pressurization was not affected by the crack. However, this is the second incident involving a Boeing aircraft in a week, and the FAA has decided to keep all 737 MAX 9 planes grounded until a thorough inspection and maintenance process is conducted.
The agency has launched a safety probe into the Alaska Airlines incident and remains focused on ensuring the safety of American travelers. Boeing has expressed support for these measures and emphasized its commitment to enhancing quality and safety in aircraft production. This recent development is reminiscent of the grounding of Boeing 737 Max jets following fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, highlighting the importance of stringent safety protocols and measures in the aviation industry.