The head of the Federal Aviation Administration, Mike Whitaker, plans to streamline aircraft certification and strengthen Boeing (BA) oversight following an in-flight emergency in January, Reuters reported on Monday.
In an interview, Whitaker explained that a door panel missing key bolts on an Alaska Airlines (ALK) Boeing 737 MAX 9 prompted a review of the Federal Aviation Administration's broader aviation oversight and aircraft certification processes, according to Reuters.
The report said that Whitaker emphasized that the FAA is rethinking its approach to injecting itself earlier in the certification process and using better technology to improve efficiency.
It added that Whitaker highlighted the agency's increased oversight of Boeing, including more focused inspections of critical production points.
The MAX 7 needs to be certified before the FAA can certify the MAX 10. The delays in certification have affected the airlines' delivery schedules.
Boeing and Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to MT Newswires' request for comment.
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