Renton, Washington 

Reeling from 737-9 crashes, falling door plugs, and loose and missing bolts, Boeing is partnering with IKEA to provide easy to use assembly manuals for its 737 line of passenger jets.

Boeing acted after investigators talked with workers who reported having leftover parts when assembling 737s. “There’s always extra parts,” one assembler said. “They include extras in case you lose some.”

After IKEA rewrote the 737 assembly manual, there were some transition issues beginning with Step 1, which is to make sure all parts are present. One assembler was heard asking, “Are these #9 bolts, or are these the #7 bolts?” Another said, “I’m supposed to have 1,042 of the #9 bolts but I only count 1,040.” A colleague replied, “Dammit, Bob, now I’ve lost count. One, two, three, four…”

With few words, but super clear pictures, Boeing predicts a significant decline in doors popping off once the transition issues are over. “What does sätt in del A i hål 3 mean?” one assembler asked as this reporter was leaving.