Grounded

In a 2000 photo, a Boeing 717 moves along an assembly line at Boeing’s Long Beach plant.  (Lawrence K. Ho / LAT)

A bell is rung when new orders come in at Boeing’s plant in Long Beach.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

A 717 cockpit is assembled at the Long Beach facility.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

The body of a 717 begins its journey down the assembly line.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

A Boeing 717 aircraft on the assembly line.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

One of the 717’s two jet engines is exposed during assembly.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

Mechanic Linda Foster seals the wingtip of a 717 aircraft on the assembly line.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

Workers detail a freshly painted 717 aircraft.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

Mechanic David Arends works on the interior of a 717.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

Workers consult in front of new airplane seats at Boeing’s Long Beach plant.  (Lawrence K. Ho / LAT)

A worker puts finishing touches on a freshly painted AirTran 717 aircraft.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

Mike Fowler works on the detailing of a 717 aircraft.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

Terry Lazar puts finishing touches on a 717’s paint job.  (Ricardo DeAratanha / LAT)

The Boeing 717-200, shown in a company drawing, was introduced in 1998, following the Boeing-McDonnell Douglas merger, as the renamed version of the McDonnell Douglas MD-95.  (Boeing / AP)