The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has launched an investigation into Boeing's statements regarding its safety practices following an incident involving a 737 Max 9 aircraft in January. 

SEC Probes Safety Claims of Boeing

According to Bloomberg, the SEC's probe is aimed at determining whether Boeing's safety practices statements, including those made by its executives, misled investors and contravened the Wall Street regulator's guidelines. 

The investigation encompasses statements made before and after a a side panel broke off off a Boeing 737 Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight last January. This incident, which involved an Alaska Airlines-operated jet, resulted in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounding 171 aircraft for approximately three weeks.

READ NEXT: Boeing Whistleblower Warns About 787 Dreamliner Issues, Claims Plane Could Fall Apart

Legal Headaches of Boeing

Boeing has faced intense scrutiny since a panel blew off a 737 Max 9 shortly after an Alaska Airlines plane took off on January 5. The episode impacted the company's reputation and raised more questions about the quality of the aircraft it produces.

Since then, the company has been subjected to Senate hearings and has made significant changes to its top leadership. Boeing's deliveries also plunged by 50% in March due to production constraints imposed by US regulators.  

READ MORE: Boeing Faces New FAA Investigation After Admitting Possibly Missing Required 787 Dreamline Inspections