Alaska Airlines Boeing Co. 737-9 Max jet was forced to make an emergency landing at Portland International Airport following the alarming blowout of a window and a section of the plane’s fuselage shortly after take-off. The incident has led to the grounding of all Boeing 737-9 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines.
Flight 1282, en route from Portland to Ontario, California, with 171 passengers and six flight crew members, experienced a sudden loss of cabin pressure. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries reported, and the passengers on board were able to recount a rapid rush of air.
The plane was in the air for approximately 20 minutes, reaching a maximum altitude of 16,300 feet. The aircraft, a new Boeing 737 Max 9 delivered in October, faced a critical situation, prompting Alaska Airlines to take swift action.
Alaska Airlines’ decision to ground its entire fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft was announced by CEO Ben Minicucci as a precautionary measure. Each aircraft will undergo comprehensive maintenance and safety inspections, with expectations of returning to service in the coming days.
Boeing, responding to the incident, stated that its technical team is prepared to support the investigation. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a temporary grounding and inspection order for specific Boeing Co. 737 Max 9 aircraft globally, affecting approximately 171 planes.
The FAA’s move has triggered a chain reaction, with other major operators like United Airlines Holdings Inc. following suit. Both Alaska and United Airlines provided updates on their inspection progress, emphasizing the importance of safety protocols.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India has ordered a one-time inspection of emergency exits on all Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft operated by Indian airlines. Other global carriers, such as FlyDubai and Aeromexico, are also conducting inspections on their fleets.
China’s aviation regulator is considering potential actions, including grounding the Boeing Max fleet in the country, highlighting the global impact of the incident. Boeing expressed support for the FAA’s decision, emphasizing collaboration with regulators and customers.
The temporary grounding is expected to impact flight operations globally, affecting tens of thousands of passengers with cancellations. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is actively investigating the incident, while the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) assesses potential mandates.
As the aviation industry grapples with this incident, Indian aviation regulator DGCA has directed airlines to conduct a one-time inspection of emergency exits on Boeing 737-8 Max aircraft in their fleets, ensuring safety measures are prioritized.
The directive follows the emergency landing of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 Max after a fuselage incident, prompting the airline to ground its entire fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. The global impact of the incident is reflected in the FAA’s temporary grounding order affecting approximately 171 Boeing Co. 737 Max 9 aircraft worldwide.