In a significant development following the mid-air panel blowout on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun addressed the incident on Tuesday, admitting a mistake and pledging to work closely with regulators to prevent any recurrence. This marks Boeing’s first public acknowledgment of responsibility since the alarming event last Friday, which resulted in a notable breach in the fuselage of the 737 MAX 9 plane.

The incident has raised concerns not only about the specific aircraft involved but also about the broader safety implications for the entire 737 MAX family. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the two U.S. carriers utilizing these temporarily grounded planes, reported discovering loose parts on similar aircraft during preliminary checks. This discovery has heightened fears within the aviation industry of a potential reoccurrence of such incidents, necessitating a thorough investigation into the root causes.

In a separate internal meeting, Boeing informed its staff that the findings of loose bolts in airplanes were being treated as a “quality control issue.” Sources familiar with the matter revealed that checks are currently underway at Boeing and its supplier, Spirit Aerosystems. This move underscores Boeing’s commitment to addressing the identified problems promptly and implementing broader checks on systems and processes to ensure comprehensive safety measures.

As a result of the incident, Boeing has issued directives to its manufacturing plants and those of its suppliers to rectify any identified problems promptly. This proactive approach aligns with the company’s dedication to ensuring the safety and reliability of its aircraft, emphasizing the need for stringent quality control measures across the production chain.

Boeing shares experienced a 1.4% decline on Tuesday, reflecting the market’s response to the incident and its potential implications. Additionally, both United and Alaska Airlines canceled a significant number of daily flights—225 and 109, respectively—leading to operational disruptions for the carriers. Further cancellations were anticipated on Wednesday, emphasizing the immediate impact of the incident on airline operations.

During the internal meeting with Boeing employees, CEO Dave Calhoun emphasized a commitment to transparency and accountability. “We’re going to approach this, number one, acknowledging our mistake,” Calhoun stated. He further assured employees that the company would maintain complete transparency throughout the investigation process, addressing concerns about the incident with utmost seriousness.

Calhoun acknowledged the gravity of the situation, expressing empathy for Boeing customers and acknowledging the profound impact the incident had on him personally. Praising the Alaska Airlines crew for their swift and effective response during the emergency landing, Calhoun recognized the challenges associated with grounding planes, particularly an entire fleet, emphasizing the complexity of such decisions.

The incident comes at a challenging time for Boeing, which has faced multiple production issues since the full-blown grounding of the 737 MAX family in March 2019. This grounding followed two crashes in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in the tragic loss of nearly 350 lives. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) promptly grounded 171 planes following the recent incident, causing widespread flight cancellations.

While Boeing continues to investigate the specific details of the incident, it is crucial to note the broader implications for the aviation industry and passenger safety. The company’s commitment to addressing the issue, collaborating with regulators, and ensuring the safety of future flights will be closely monitored as the investigation unfolds.

In the wake of the incident, the aviation industry is grappling with renewed concerns about the manufacturing and safety protocols of Boeing’s best-selling jet family. As the investigation progresses, the industry awaits comprehensive insights into the incident, and stakeholders remain vigilant about the measures taken to prevent such occurrences in the future.

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