PORTLAND, Ore. – The National Transportation Safety Board reported that the plug covering the unused exit door that blew out minutes into an Alaska Airlines flight has been located. This discovery could be crucial in determining the cause of the blowout, which resulted in the Boeing 737 Max 9 having to return to Portland, Oregon shortly after takeoff.
The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9s involved until it is convinced of their safety. This action comes after pilots reported three pressurization warnings from cockpit dashboard lights between December 7 and January 4, with at least one occurring during a flight.
Despite Alaska Airlines maintenance crews clearing the light after each illumination, the incidents led to the grounding of the entire fleet. The discovery of the plug could provide much-needed insight into these warnings, particularly those that occurred in-flight.
National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy mentioned that the flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder were sent to NTSB labs to be read. However, the cockpit voice recorder was overwritten and cannot be used by investigators.
The massive plane damage, rapid decompression, and subsequent chaos caused within the plane’s cockpit and cabin during the incident are all under investigation by the FAA, NTSB, Boeing, and others.
The Airbus A320, which was only a few weeks old, was taken for a deep dive into why the pressurization warnings occurred between December 7 and January 4. The investigation is ongoing, and the FAA’s decision to ground the Max 9s involved will impact approximately 171 planes worldwide.
The effort to maintain the safety of the flying public remains paramount as airlines, regulators, and Boeing work to address concerns stemming from recent incidents involving Boeing’s 737 Max planes.
The recent blowout on Flight 1282 resulted in the immediate grounding of Alaska Airlines’ entire fleet of 737-9 MAX aircraft, affecting thousands of passengers and leading to significant cancellations. The NTSB has continued its call for anyone with photos and videos of the incident to reach out.
In an industry significantly impacted by public safety concerns, Boeing has faced challenges with its 737 Max planes in recent years, including major crashes and grounding. However, the NTSB does not currently believe there is an overall design problem with the plane.
The investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident continues, and the authorities are focused on determining the cause of the blowout and ensuring the safety of similar aircraft. Once completed, the findings of the investigation will provide crucial information for the future safety of passengers and crew members.