04:42 PM EDT, 06/14/2024 (MT Newswires) -- US Senator Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, has launched a new investigation into Boeing ( BA ) and the Federal Aviation Administration on the Jan. 5 incident when a door plug on a 737-9 MAX jet blew out minutes after take-off.

No one was seriously injured during the Alaska Air (ALK) flight, but Grassley, whose criticism of the aircraft manufacturer spans nearly 30 years, said in a June 12 letter to FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker it was "yet another example of a safety failure at Boeing ( BA ) happening under the (agency's) regulatory watch." Grassley sent a separate letter to Boeing ( BA ).

Boeing ( BA ) and FAA officials have appeared before several congressional panels on the Jan. 5 emergency and similar events in recent months. Grassley said he will look into how possible safety lapses and lax oversight, but also whether the company and regulators have adequately responded to prior problems occurring with Boeing ( BA ) aircraft.

Grassley, who is on several congressional committees, including as ranking member of budget committee, specifically is demanding answers to 38 questions about recent and past problems at Boeing ( BA ) as well as "records of safety procedures, regulatory requirements, corrective actions, whistleblower protections and more,", according to a statement provided by his office.

Boeing ( BA ) did not immediately respond to request seeking comment by MT Newswires, while FAA said it will directly respond to Grassley. Boeing ( BA ) shares were down 2% at market close.

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