According to a report by Agence France-Presse on January 8, local time, United Airlines said in a statement issued that day that loose bolts were found on the Boeing 737 MAX 9 passenger plane that had been grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration.
United said in a statement: "Since the initial inspection began, we have discovered a number of conditions that appear to be related to door plug installation issues, such as bolts that require additional tightening." The company said it would not release information such as the specific number of loose bolts, but would ensure that engineers ensure the safe return to service of all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft after the inspection is completed.
Shortly after an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 took off from Portland on the 5th, a closed hatch in the cabin near the left wing fell off. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration ordered on the 6th to temporarily ground the Boeing 737 MAX 9 passenger aircraft operated by American Airlines or within the United States to conduct safety inspections of the aircraft model. (CCTV reporter Liu Xu)