An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 aircraft made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport after a window blew out and a portion of the fuselage was damaged during a flight over Oregon. The incident occurred approximately three miles above Oregon shortly after takeoff. The pilots successfully landed the aircraft, and all 174 passengers and six crew members onboard were unharmed. However, one child’s clothing was sucked out of the plane through the gaping hole created by the blown-out window. The airline has grounded its 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft for inspection, and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the incident. Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci expressed concern for the passengers and promised updates on the situation.
Passenger Evan Smith described the moment as a loud bang followed by a whooshing sound. Oxygen masks were deployed, and everyone on board quickly put them on. Luckily, there were no serious injuries, and the aircraft safely returned to the airport.
The inspection of Alaska Airlines’ Boeing 737-9 fleet may take several days. These aircraft account for one-fifth of the company’s total fleet. It is currently unclear how this will impact the airline’s flight schedule.
Flight 1282 had departed from Portland heading to Ontario, California. Just six minutes into the flight, the window and part of the fuselage blew out at an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet. The pilots promptly initiated an emergency landing procedure and requested clearance to descend to 10,000 feet, where the air would provide sufficient oxygen.
Passenger videos posted online showed the severe damage to the aircraft, with a sizable hole where the window had been. Passengers were seen wearing oxygen masks, and they applauded when the plane landed safely. Firefighters promptly provided medical treatment to those with minor injuries.
The aircraft involved was a Boeing 737 Max, the latest version of the widely-used Boeing 737. This model has faced controversy in recent years following two crashes that killed 346 people. As a result, all Max 8 and Max 9 planes were grounded worldwide for nearly two years until Boeing implemented modifications to the automated flight control system implicated in the accidents.
Alaska Airlines’ incident comes after several manufacturing issues have affected the Max deliveries, including loose bolts in the rudder-control system. However, it is too soon to determine if any manufacturing defects may have contributed to the blown-out window.
The airline, along with Boeing and regulators, is cooperating to understand the cause of the incident. Alaska Airlines’ primary concern lies with the passengers who experienced this frightening event. The company sincerely apologizes for any distress caused and promises to keep the public informed as further details emerge.
In the interest of passenger safety, Alaska Airlines has taken proactive measures by grounding its Boeing 737-9 fleet until thorough inspections can be conducted. The National Transportation Safety Board will also conduct a formal investigation into the incident.
As the airline industry focuses on passenger safety, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the importance of ongoing scrutiny and evaluation of aircraft and maintenance procedures. The industry continues to prioritize safety measures to ensure the well-being of passengers and crew members.
