FAA Issues Safety Alert for Boeing 737-900ER Following 737 Max 9 Grounding

The alert comes as Alaska Airlines continues to cancel flights due to the grounding of the 737-9 MAX, and Boeing appoints a special advisor to assess its quality management system.

The FAA has issued a Safety Alert for Operators (SAFO) recommending that operators of the Boeing 737-900ER conduct a visual inspection of the mid-exit door plugs to ensure they are properly secured.
The 737-900ER has the same door plug design as the 737 Max 9, which has been grounded worldwide since January 6 following a door plug accident.
Alaska Airlines has cancelled between 110 to 150 daily flights as a result of the 737-9 MAX grounding.
Boeing has named retired Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, U.S. Navy as a “special advisor to Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun” to conduct an assessment of Boeing's quality management system for commercial airplanes.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still investigating the cause of the door plug failure.