PORTLAND Ore. – The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation after an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 experienced a rapid depressurization and lost a plug door shortly after takeoff over Oregon. The incident occurred three miles above the state, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing. Fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported among the 174 passengers and six crew members on board.
The damaged section of the aircraft was identified as a plug door, which functions as a panel that can be opened from the outside but appears as a wall from the inside. This section serves as an additional emergency exit depending on the number of seats installed on the plane.
During a news conference, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressed relief that the incident did not result in a more tragic outcome. She emphasized the potential danger had the incident occurred during cruising altitude when passengers are often moving about the cabin.
The NTSB is collaborating with the FBI and local police to locate the missing plug door, which is believed to be in the Cedar Hills area near Barnes Road and I-217. They urge anyone who finds the door to contact law enforcement.
Alaska Airlines has taken immediate action following the incident. The airline announced the temporary grounding of its 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft until they can undergo thorough inspections. Additionally, federal officials have ordered the grounding and inspection of some Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners.
The inspections are estimated to take approximately four to eight hours per aircraft, affecting around 171 planes worldwide. Consequently, Alaska Airlines has already canceled 160 flights, impacting approximately 23,000 passengers, with more cancellations expected. The airline anticipates the disruption to last at least until mid-week.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci expressed his concern for the passengers affected by the incident and vowed to work closely with Boeing and regulators to determine the cause. The Boeing 737-9 fleet constitutes one-fifth of the airline’s total aircraft.
Videos posted by passengers revealed a significant hole in the plane’s structure and passengers wearing oxygen masks. The airplane safely landed about 13 minutes after the window blew out.
According to flight data, the affected aircraft had recently entered commercial service, with 145 flights since November 11. The Boeing 737 Max 9 is the latest version of the popular Boeing 737 and has been in operation since May 2017.
Following previous incidents involving the Max series planes, resulting in global groundings, the aircraft only returned to service after Boeing made necessary modifications to an automated flight control system. However, the Max series has faced intermittent delivery interruptions due to manufacturing flaws and ongoing inspections.
The FAA previously advised pilots to limit the use of an anti-ice system on the Max planes in dry conditions due to concerns about overheating and potential detachment of inlets around the engines.
The investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident is ongoing, and the collaboration between authorities seeks to ensure a comprehensive analysis in order to prevent similar incidents in the future.
