Alaska Airlines Incident: NTSB Highlights Narrow Escape from Tragedy

Alaska Airlines

On a harrowing flight from Oregon to Southern California, Alaska Airlines narrowly avoided a potential tragedy when a panel on its Boeing 737 Max 9 blew out at 16,000 feet. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is now actively investigating the incident, emphasizing the close call and the potential for a much graver outcome.

The Critical Moment

The incident occurred approximately 10 minutes after the flight’s departure from Portland International Airport. The panel, known as a ‘door plug,’ detached, causing rapid decompression of the cabin. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy revealed that the seats adjacent to the blowout were unoccupied, and passengers in the affected area were likely seated with seatbelts fastened, mitigating potential injuries.

The Fortunate Empty Seats

Homendy highlighted the significance of the unoccupied seats (26A and 26B) where the door plug detached, preventing what could have been a more devastating outcome. Passengers in these seats were spared the chaos caused by the depressurization of the cabin, which led to headrests detaching, a missing seat back, and scattered clothing.

Rapid Decompression and Emergency Landing

The decompression incident prompted the 737 Max 9 to make an emergency return to Portland. While no serious injuries were reported, some passengers received treatment for minor injuries. The chair acknowledged that if the incident had occurred at the cruising altitude of 35,000 feet, the outcome could have been much worse, potentially causing hypoxia and its severe consequences.

NTSB Investigation

The NTSB has taken charge of the investigation, set to commence its full inquiry. Homendy refrained from speculating on the cause until more information is gathered. The focus will include an examination of the door plug on the opposite side of the plane, structural analysis, and scrutiny of the air pressurization system.

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Grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 Fleet

Alaska Airlines, operating 65 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft, initially grounded its entire fleet. However, after inspecting 18 planes, it cleared them for service. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued an emergency airworthiness directive, grounding an estimated 171 planes for inspections with specific parameters. This directive led to the cancellation of 160 flights, affecting around 23,000 passengers.

Industry-wide Impact

The ripple effect of the grounding extended beyond Alaska Airlines. United Airlines, with 79 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft, temporarily suspended service on all of them. The airline collaborated with the FAA to clarify the inspection process, emphasizing the need for safety reassurance before returning the aircraft to service.

Understanding Plug Doors

A critical component in this incident was the ‘plug door,’ a panel sealed in place partially with air pressure. Used as an alternative to emergency exits, its necessity depends on the plane’s passenger capacity. For the configuration of the Alaska Airlines flight, additional emergency exits were not required.

Examination of Door Plug

The NTSB’s investigation will delve into the structural integrity, fastening mechanism, and air pressurization system of the door plug. Investigators aim to understand the circumstances leading to its detachment and the potential implications for similar configurations on other planes.

Prudent FAA Action

Considering the incident involving a relatively new 737 Max 9, delivered to Alaska Airlines just days before the event, Chair Homendy commended the FAA for grounding the model temporarily. She expressed optimism about uncovering more information through passenger photos and videos, and urged anyone who finds the missing door plug to report it to authorities.

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The Alaska Airlines incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical role safety measures play in aviation. As the NTSB delves into the intricacies of the door plug detachment, the entire industry remains vigilant, emphasizing the paramount importance of ensuring the airworthiness of every aircraft in service.

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