_x000D_Screenshot: MSNBC (youtube.com)

Which passenger aircraft was grounded twice by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), first in 2020 and again in 2024?

The Boeing 737 MAX 9, which has seen more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Six Flags, was first grounded in March 2019. This was after two tragic crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, killing 346 people. Playing the role of cautious parent, the FAA grounded the aircraft to prevent further incidents. After extensive reviews and modifications, the Boeing 737 MAX was cleared for takeoff again in November 2020, much to Boeing’s relief. However, the aircraft found itself in hot water again in January 2024. An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, fresh out of the assembly line and barely used (only 145 flights, practically a baby in airplane years), had to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon, after a cabin panel decided it had had enough and blew out. This led to the FAA again grounding certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes on January 6, 2024, for safety checks.