In 2020, a plane from Alaska Airlines is depicted landing at Denver International Airport. The airline has decided to halt the operation of its Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft following an incident where one experienced a blowout, resulting in a significant opening in the fuselage's side. The Federal Aviation Administration has taken a similar step in grounding these planes. The photograph was taken by David Zalubowski for The Associated Press.
U.S. authorities have sought the public's assistance in locating a missing panel that detached from an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft flying over Oregon. In response to the incident, Alaska Airlines has temporarily grounded its 737-9 Max fleet for the second time, following concerns raised by federal officials regarding potential additional maintenance requirements to prevent a recurrence.
The incident occurred on Friday, as the door plug on the left side of a recently acquired Boeing 737-9 Max jet tore off approximately 4.8 kilometres above ground, just six minutes after departing from Portland, Oregon, en route to Ontario, California. Videos posted online by passengers depicted a conspicuous gap where the exit panel had been, with passengers donning oxygen masks.
Promptly responding to the depressurization, the pilots safely landed the aircraft back at Portland International Airport. Miraculously, all 171 passengers and six crew members survived the ordeal, with only a few minor injuries reported.
Following inspections, Alaska Airlines initially returned 18 out of its 65 737-9 Max aircraft to service on Saturday. However, the decision to ground them again was made after the airline received a notice from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) indicating potential additional work. The FAA has grounded 171 of these planes until it is assured of their safe operation.
National Transportation Safety Board chair Jennifer Homendy expressed gratitude that the incident occurred before reaching cruising altitude when passengers and crew might be moving around the cabin. She noted that the missing panel likely landed in the Cedar Hills area west of Portland.
The investigation, led by the National Transportation Safety Board, is expected to span several months. The fuselage in question is manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems, a Kansas-based company that separated from Boeing in 2005. Spirit AeroSystems produced and installed the door plug that experienced the blowout.
Aviation expert John Cox emphasized that the door plug design has been in service for 15 years and is considered reliable. Investigators will scrutinize the assembly paperwork to identify the last person to handle the plug and ensure proper safety inspections are conducted.
Cox highlighted that the plug is secured by four bolts, raising questions about their installation and torque. He suggested that if not properly installed, the door could vibrate and potentially detach from the airplane after multiple flights.
Boeing may play a significant role in the investigation, given its involvement in the installation process. Sources familiar with the matter suggested that investigators would examine potential installation flaws at both Spirit and Boeing plants.
While United Airlines and Alaska Airlines operate the majority of this plane model in the U.S., other carriers, including Turkish Airlines, Copa Airlines, and Aeromexico, have also grounded similar jets for inspections. Canadian airlines have confirmed they do not operate the Max 9 jetliners but rather the 737-8 Max jetliners.
