US Airline Grounds Planes After Mid-air Blowout
In a harrowing incident, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 experienced a mid-air emergency over Oregon, necessitating an immediate return to Portland after an outer section, including a window, detached during its flight to California on Friday.
The 177 passengers and crew landed safely, prompting Alaska Airlines to temporarily ground its entire fleet of 65 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspections.
Boeing is investigating the incident, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority is closely monitoring the situation.
Evan Smith, a passenger, described the terrifying moment, recounting a loud bang and sudden air masks deployment.
Another passenger, Diego Murillo, likened the gap in the fuselage to the size of a refrigerator. Despite the ordeal, all passengers remained seated with their seat belts fastened, Excel Magazine International gathered.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci announced the grounding, emphasizing that each aircraft would undergo comprehensive maintenance and safety inspections before returning to service.
The affected flight, en route to Ontario, California, initiated its emergency descent at 16,000 feet, according to flight tracking data.
Eyewitness accounts highlighted the severity of the incident, with reports of a child’s shirt being sucked out of the plane and a phone being taken by the wind.
Images from the scene show the night sky through the ruptured fuselage, with debris scattered. The FAA confirmed the safe return of Flight 1282, attributing the emergency to a pressurization issue.
Boeing expressed readiness to support the investigation, while Flydubai, with a different aircraft configuration, assured that its Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet had undergone recent safety checks.
The ruptured fuselage, captured after landing, serves as a stark visual testament to the gravity of the incident.
