Malaysians were shocked recently after our country was somehow embroiled in another aviation-related incident after a “Made in Malaysia” was spotted inscribed on the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door plug that was ripped off mid-flight over southwestern Portland in Oregon, USA on 5 January.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 Max 9, with Alaska Airlines and United Airlines (the only two airlines that fly the aircraft model in the USA) cancelling all flights using the aircraft model and grounding them for safety reasons.
As for the “Made in Malaysia” inscription, it raised a lot of questions, especially the fact that it was handwritten, alongside other details of the panel such as its serial number, part number, line unit and aircraft model.
Many Malaysians are questioning whether the door plug was even made in our country or if the panel was just vandalised before it was found in Portland.
Well, it was confirmed today that the door plug was indeed made in Malaysia as per the handwritten inscription.
As reported by The Associate Press/KSNB Local 4, USA’s National Transportation Safety Board chairperson Jennifer Homendy asserted that the door plug was manufactured in Malaysia, specifically by one of Boeing’s leading suppliers, Spirit AeroSystems.
Homendy further revealed that NTSB is now looking into how the part was produced by the company and installed on the plane.
The report added that a spokesman for Spirit AeroSystems also confirmed that the panel was made in our country. Furthermore, in a statement by the company, it said that it is supporting NTSB’s investigation directly and that it is focused on the quality of each aircraft structure that leaves its facilities.
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes, defence platforms, and business/regional jets, the company’s core products include fuselages, integrated wings and wing components, pylons, and nacelles.
While its headquarters is in Wichita, Kansas, USA, Spirit AeroSystems has facilities in multiple countries, including Malaysia. The facility in our country is located on a 75-acre site adjacent to the runway at the Sultan Abdul Aziz Shah Airport in Subang, Selangor.
According to the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA), Spirit AeroSystems has been assembling aerostructures at the facility since 2007 and was also allowed to operate during the Movement Control Order (MCO) period.
Previously, Transport Minister Anthony Loke Siew Fook said that he would not be able to comment on the issue as there’s still no new information but has instructed the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) to look into the matter.
WORLD OF BUZZ has reached out to the Transport Ministry for comment but has yet to receive an update as of the time of writing.
For illustration purposes only.
So, what do you guys think of the whole situation? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
