Alaska Airlines Grounds 737 MAX Fleet Following Emergency Landing
An Alaska Airlines flight experienced an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon, after suffering an "explosive decompression" when a panel and window section of the aircraft blew out at an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet. The incident involved a Boeing 737 MAX 9, which had recently been certified and delivered. Carrying over 170 passengers and six crew members, the flight had departed from Portland, bound for Ontario, California, but was forced to return safely to Portland International Airport.
In response to the incident, Alaska Airlines has temporarily grounded all 65 of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft to conduct full safety inspections. This precautionary measure has led to the cancellation of 93 flights, which is about 12% of the airline's schedule, and the delay of an additional 54 flights. The company has assured passengers that its flexible travel policy will allow for changes or cancellations without fees, and the option to receive travel credit or rebook flights up to three days earlier or later than originally planned.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are conducting investigations into the event. Boeing is actively gathering information and has stated its readiness to support the investigation. This latest issue comes after Boeing has faced significant challenges with its aircraft, including the grounding of all 737 MAX planes in 2019 following two fatal crashes that resulted in the deaths of 346 people, and the halting of 787 Dreamliner deliveries due to quality control concerns. No injuries were reported in this latest incident involving the Alaska Airlines flight.
