Older version Boeing 737 also targeted after near miss According to the Taliban, four survivors after a Russian private plane crashed

After the near miss of a Boeing 737-9 Max, regulators are also focusing on an older variant of the aircraft. To be on the safe side, airlines should check the panels for unnecessary emergency exits on 737-900ER aircraft, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced in Washington on Monday evening.

Boeing used the same design for the model as the newer 737-9 Max. On January 5, such a fuselage part broke off during the climb of an almost new Alaska Airlines aircraft of this type.

The pilots were able to land the plane safely and the 177 people on board were largely unharmed. The FAA has now banned the variant with this part from flying. About 170 machines are affected worldwide.

The older 737-900ER is a variant of the Max predecessor 737 NG with an extended range (“ER” – Extended Range). The fuselage of this type, just like the 737-9 Max, has a frame on each side for an unnecessary emergency exit, which is closed with a sturdy fuselage part instead of a door.

According to Boeing, 505 units of the 737-900ER have been delivered worldwide. Besides Alaska Airlines, one of the largest airlines is the American company United Airlines. (sda/awp/dpa)