Source:Â www.cnn.gr
In a swift response to a window detachment during an Alaska Airlines flight, the FAA mandates the grounding of over 170 Boeing 737 Max 9s across the US. The alarming incident prompted Alaska Airlines to proactively ground its fleet before the FAA's directive.
The affected aircraft, involved in a mid-flight emergency, made an emergency landing in Portland shortly after takeoff. Passengers reported a window and fuselage detachment, with disturbing footage circulating on social media showing a gaping hole and deployed oxygen masks.
The FAA attributed the incident to a "compression problem" reported by the crew, leading to the forced landing. Evan Smith, a passenger on the flight, recounted a loud bang and the sudden deployment of oxygen masks.
Alaska Airlines, collaborating with Boeing, is investigating the incident on Flight 1282, a Boeing 737-9 Max certified on Oct. 25, 2023. CEO Ben Minicucci expressed condolences to the affected passengers and emphasized safety and maintenance inspections before the planes return to service.
The alarming episode occurred six minutes after takeoff, prompting a change in course towards Portland at 16,000 feet. The aircraft, a recent addition to Boeing's 737 lineup, has been widely used for domestic flights in the US. The grounding echoes the cautious approach adopted following the 2018 and 2019 crashes involving Max 8s, resulting in a two-year suspension until safety modifications were implemented.