Regulators order inspections on some Boeing MAX 9 planes after emergency

Dozens of flights cancelled worldwide after Boeing 737 MAX 9 panel blows off mid-flight; FAA requires immediate inspections of certain planes.

Airlines and safety bodies around the world grounded some versions of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets pending inspections on Sunday, with dozens of flights cancelled over the weekend after a panel blew out of one of the planes over the western U.S. State of Oregon.

The Federal Aviation Administration "is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight," the agency said on X.

It added that around 171 aircraft worldwide would be affected, with each inspection taking four to eight hours.

Alaska and United Airlines fly the largest number of MAX 9 planes, while Turkish Airlines has a smaller fleet.

As of Sunday, all three airlines had grounded their jets for inspection.

Boeing has so far delivered about 218 of the 737 MAX planes worldwide, the company said.

U.S.-based Alaska Airlines grounded all 65 of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes on Friday after a flight carrying 171 passengers and six crew was forced to make an emergency landing.