Why were four critical bolts missing from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 panel?

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Missing Bolts on Boeing 737 MAX 9 Panel

Four critical bolts that secure a panel on a Boeing 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines jet were missing at the time of an incident on January 5. The National Transportation Safety Board's initial findings suggest these bolts were absent before the panel moved upward.
Bolts Removed During Prior Inspection

The missing bolts were removed by Boeing employees at the Renton plant in Washington State before the aircraft was delivered in October. This removal was part of an inspection process to replace five damaged rivets within the aircraft's cabin.
Reinstallation Failure

Following the replacement of the damaged rivets, photographic evidence indicates that at least three of the four removed bolts were not reinstalled. The absence of damage or deformation around the holes where the bolts should have been further supports the conclusion that they were missing prior to the panel's upward movement.
Standard Manufacturing Processes

In general manufacturing and assembly processes, it is standard procedure to reinstall all removed components after completing maintenance or repair work. The failure to reinsert these critical fasteners would represent a deviation from established protocols, potentially impacting the structural integrity of the panel.

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Why were four critical bolts missing from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 panel?

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