Alaska Airlines has temporarily grounded its Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet after a midair incident involving a window blowout and fuselage damage led to an emergency landing in Portland. The incident, which caused cabin depressurization, occurred shortly after takeoff but all 174 passengers and six crew members landed safely. The airline is conducting full maintenance and safety inspections with the expectation of returning the jets to service within days. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the incident, which involves a recently delivered and certified aircraft. This comes after the global grounding of Boeing 737 Max jets following two fatal crashes, with the model only recently returning to service.
Alaska Airlines has temporarily grounded its Boeing 737-9 fleet after a window and piece of fuselage blew out midair on a flight from Oregon, causing an emergency landing in Portland. The incident, which resulted in minor injuries and the cabin depressurizing, is under investigation by the NTSB and FAA. The affected aircraft, which had been in service for only two months, will undergo maintenance and safety inspections before returning to service. This comes after the Boeing 737 Max series faced a nearly two-year grounding following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
An Alaska Airlines flight from Portland to Ontario made an emergency landing after a part of the plane blew out, causing depressurization at 16,000 feet. A teenage boy was nearly pulled out of the plane, but his mother saved him. The plane, carrying 171 passengers and six crew members, landed safely back at Portland International Airport. The incident is under investigation by the FAA and NTSB, and Boeing has a technical team ready to assist.
Keith Edward Fagiana was arrested and charged with interference with a flight crew after he allegedly punched a flight attendant and spat on officers during an American Airlines flight from Dallas to Bozeman. The incident, which included Fagiana kicking a fellow passenger's seat and cursing at the crew, led to the flight being diverted. Fagiana, who admitted to drinking before the flight, could face felony charges under federal law. The FBI and FAA are investigating the violent episode.
