Air India Crash and 737 Max Plug Door Blowout Updates – Episode 278

An update on the Air India crash investigation, with focus on the flight data recorders installed and recovered from the aircraft.

John explains the identical dual flight data and voice recorders installed on the plane. Viewer questions led to further investigation and clarification of the Enhanced Airborne Flight Recorders (EAFR) installed on the plane.

In other news, the NTSB has issued more than 30 findings related to the January 2024 Alaska Airlines door blowout event. The findings reveal how the manufacturing process of the Boeing 737 Max allowed a plug door to be reinstalled on the aircraft without the bolts that secure the door to the fuselage.

Todd shares his insights from his time as a Boeing engineer. He highlights the complexity of the manufacturing process that involves Spirit in Wichita, Kansas making the fuselage and shipping to Boeing in Seattle for final assembly.

Todd and John discuss each of the NTSB findings and the story they tell about what went wrong and what went right in this event.

Resources:
NTSB Board Meeting for 737 Max Door Blowout from June 24, 2025

NTSB Board Meeting Slide Presentation

NTSB Preliminary Report Alaska Door Event

Public Docket for 737 Max Door Blowout NTSB investigation

Boeing 2024 Media Presentation on the Alaska Door Event

Indian government press release on Air India Investigation

General Electric EAFR (Enhanced Aircraft Flight Recorder) example