FAA to audit Boeing manufacturing, increase scrutiny after panel blew off jet in midflight last week

WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration says it will audit Boeing's aircraft production and increase oversight of the troubled manufacturer after a panel blew off a jetliner in midflight last week, the last in a string of mishaps for its marquee aircraft. The agency's move comes just a day after it announced an investigation into whether Boeing failed to make sure a fuselage panel that blew off was safe and manufactured to meet the design that regulators approved.

The FAA said Friday that it would audit Boeing's 737 Max 9 jetliner production line, as well as the company's parts suppliers “to evaluate Boeing's compliance with its approved quality procedures.” It also will increase monitoring of 737 Max incidents that happen while the plane is in use.

The FAA investigation is focusing on plugs used to fill spots for extra doors when those exits are not required for safety reasons on Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners. One of two plugs on an Alaska Airlines jetliner blew out shortly after the plane took off from Portland, Oregon, leaving a hole in the plane..