The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that all Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes will remain grounded until further data is provided by Boeing. This decision comes after a near-catastrophic incident on an Alaska Airlines-operated aircraft. The incident, which occurred on January 5th, involved Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 from Portland. During the flight, a panel known as a ‘door plug’ blew out, forcing the plane to execute an emergency landing. The FAA has stated that for the safety of American travelers, the Boeing 737-9 MAX will not return to the skies until extensive inspection and maintenance is conducted, and data from inspections is reviewed. FAA administrator Mike Whitaker expressed the agency’s commitment to ensuring passenger safety and stated that they will not allow the aircraft to fly again until they are entirely satisfied with its safety. The FAA has also mentioned that additional information from Boeing is needed before approving the manufacturer’s proposed inspection and maintenance instructions. The grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft has been ongoing since March 2019, following two fatal crashes involving the MAX 8 model. The FAA’s decision to keep the MAX 9 planes grounded highlights the importance of thorough inspection and maintenance procedures to maintain the safety of air travel.