Boeing 737 MAX production under scrutiny, failed 33 out of 89 product audit tests

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted an audit of Boeing's 737 MAX production process following an incident in which a panel detached from an Alaska Airlines jet in January, failed 33 out of 89 tests, the New York Times reported on Monday.

During the investigation, Boeing failed a check which dealt with the component that blew off the jet, referred to as a "door plug," as per an FAA presentation cited by the NYT. The report also highlighted that Spirit AeroSystems, the supplier responsible for manufacturing the fuselage for the MAX, passed six out of 13 audits but failed the remaining audits.

An audit conducted at Spirit AeroSystems specifically focusing on the door plug component identified five issues, with the installation of the component being the area where the audit failed, according to the report.

The report also said that an audit at Spirit focusing on the door plug component found five problems and it failed the one which dealt with the installation of the component.

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The audit raised concerns about the technicians who carried out the work and found that the company "failed to determine the knowledge necessary for the operation of its processes," according to the report.

Other audits that Spirit failed included one that involved a cargo door and another that dealt with the installation of cockpit windows, it said.

Based on the FAA audit, Boeing is continuing to implement immediate changes, and is developing a plan to strengthen safety and quality, the plane maker told Reuters in an emailed statement.

The FAA and Spirit AeroSystems did not immediately reply to Reuters' requests for comment.

Earlier in the day, U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said he expects Boeing to cooperate in investigations by the Justice Department and National Transportation Safety Board into the 737 MAX 9 mid-air emergency on Jan. 5.

Meanwhile, the FAA's Michael Whitaker said the agency and Boeing hope to define the milestones the manufacturer must meet to increase the MAX production rate in the next 30 days.

Last week, the agency said it found "non-compliance issues in Boeing's manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control."

With inputs from Reuters.