Portland, Oregon – A criminal investigation has been initiated into a harrowing incident involving a Boeing jetliner operated by Alaska Airlines, which experienced a severe blowout shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, in January. The blowout, which occurred seven minutes into the flight, resulted in a sizable hole in the aircraft, leading the pilots to execute an emergency landing.
This inquiry comes in the wake of increased scrutiny of Boeing, especially after a panel meant to cover an extra emergency door space on a Max 9 jet was dislodged during the flight. Remarkably, the incident did not result in any serious injuries, but it has raised significant questions about the aircraft’s safety and Boeing’s compliance with safety regulations.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the investigation has extended to interviews with passengers, crew members, pilots, and flight attendants aboard the January 5 flight. The focus of the investigation appears to be on whether Boeing adhered to the terms of a previous settlement that concluded a federal probe into the safety of its 737 Max aircraft, following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
In 2021, Boeing consented to a $2.5 billion settlement, which included a $244 million fine, to resolve the investigation into the Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines crashes. The crashes were attributed to flaws in the flight-control system, with Boeing later admitting that two of its employees had misled regulators about the system’s safety.
Adding to the controversy, Boeing has admitted to not finding records related to work performed on the door panel of the Alaska Airlines plane. In a letter to U.S. Congress, Ziad Ojakli, Boeing’s executive vice president, expressed the company’s inability to locate any documentation concerning the panel’s removal and reinstallation, a process that should have been recorded as per Boeing’s protocols.
This lack of documentation has stirred further debate, highlighted during a recent Senate committee hearing where Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) clashed over the company’s cooperation with the investigation. NTSB chair, Jennifer Homendy, criticized Boeing for not providing crucial information about the employees involved in the door panel’s handling and the specifics of the repair job.
The ongoing investigation underscores the importance of stringent quality assurance and safety management practices within the aviation industry. As the probe continues, it draws attention to the need for transparency and adherence to safety regulations to prevent future incidents and ensure passenger safety.
Sources:
- The Wall Street Journal
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
- Alaska Airlines Statement
