The Boeing Jetliner that Suffered Blowout Was Restricted from Flying over Water
PORTLAND, Ore. — A Boeing jetliner that suffered an in-flight blowout over Oregon was restricted from flying over water due to a warning light that indicated a potential pressurization problem. In order to reduce the risk to passengers, Alaska Airlines made the decision to limit the aircraft’s flights to land-based destinations, allowing for a quick return to an airport if the warning light reappeared. The incident has sent shockwaves through the aviation industry, with shares of The Boeing Co. plummeting 9% at the opening bell on Monday. Shares of Alaska Airlines also took a hit, falling 4%, while Spirit AeroSystems, the manufacturer of Boeing’s 737 Max fuselage, experienced a staggering 14% plunge.
The warning light, which could be unrelated to Friday’s blowout incident, had appeared on three previous flights of the Boeing 737 Max 9. According to Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the light illuminated during flights on December 7, January 3, and January 4. However, it should be noted that the light only reappeared after the plane had landed on January 4, the day before the now-infamous door plug broke off. Although additional maintenance was ordered by Alaska Airlines following the January incidents, it was not completed prior to the blowout on Friday.
The NTSB announced that the lost door plug, measuring 26 by 48 inches and weighing 63 pounds, was discovered on Sunday near Portland. Investigators will closely examine the plug to determine how it broke free from the aircraft. Unfortunately, the cockpit voice recorder, which could have provided valuable insight into the events leading up to the blowout, recorded over the flight’s sounds after two hours, leaving investigators without crucial audio evidence.
At a news conference on Sunday night, Homendy shared new details about the chaotic scene inside the plane during the blowout. The force of the incident caused severe damage to several rows of seats, while insulation was pulled from the walls. The cockpit door even flew open, crashing into a nearby lavatory door. Both pilots were affected, with one losing their headset and the other having part of their headset torn off. Additionally, a quick reference checklist was blown out of the open cockpit.
Fortunately, the aircraft managed to return safely to Portland, and none of the 171 passengers or six crew members suffered serious injuries. However, in response to the incident, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an order grounding 171 out of the 218 Max 9 planes currently in operation. This includes all Max 9 planes used by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, which are now awaiting specifics on inspection procedures. As a result, Alaska Airlines was forced to cancel 20% of its flights, amounting to 141 flights, while United Airlines canceled 221 flights, about 8% of its total scheduled flights for Monday.
The Max 9, a twin-engine single-aisle aircraft widely used for domestic flights in the United States, has faced a series of issues in recent years. Two Max 8 jets were involved in crashes in 2018 and 2019, resulting in the deaths of 346 people. These crashes led to the worldwide grounding of all Max 8 and Max 9 planes for nearly two years until Boeing implemented changes to an automated flight control system implicated in the accidents. In addition to these previous concerns, the Max has also faced manufacturing flaws, concerns about overheating, and potential issues with the rudder system.
In response to the incident, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun called for a companywide webcast to address the situation and communicate with employees and senior leadership on Tuesday. Calhoun emphasized the importance of working transparently with customers and regulators to understand and rectify the causes of the event to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
Alaska Airlines flight 1282 took off from Portland on Friday bound for Ontario, California. Just six minutes into the flight, the fuselage blew out as the plane was climbing to an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet. The pilots declared an emergency and requested permission to descend to 10,000 feet, where the air would be breathable without the need for oxygen masks. Passenger videos posted online revealed a large opening where the door that had covered the unused exit was located. The passengers applauded when the plane landed safely just 13 minutes after the blowout, and firefighters immediately attended to the injured.
The aircraft involved in the incident received its certification two months ago and had been in commercial service since November 11, 2021. It had completed 145 flights prior to Friday’s incident. The recent blowout highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Boeing and the aviation industry as they work to ensure the safety and reliability of their aircraft.
In light of this incident, the focus remains on comprehensive investigations to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences. The aviation industry, regulators, and manufacturers have a collective responsibility to prioritize safety and address any issues promptly to ensure the well-being of passengers around the world.
