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Federal investigations are underway to determine the cause of a midair ordeal on an Alaska Airlines flight that resulted in the grounding of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft.
Investigation and Missing Piece
Federal investigators are searching for the missing piece of an Alaska Airlines aircraft's fuselage that blew off mid-flight. No passengers were seated in the section that blew off, and there were no serious injuries reported.
The National Transportation Safety Board Chair, Jennifer Homendy, is seeking the public's help in locating the missing piece, as it will provide key clues as to why it separated from the airplane.
The incident led to the grounding of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft and numerous flight cancellations. The Federal Aviation Administration has temporarily suspended services on all MAX 9 planes until they are thoroughly inspected.
Panic and Response
The sudden depressurization of the passenger cabin caused panic on the Alaska Airlines flight. Oxygen masks descended, passengers screamed, and some sent text messages to their loved ones.
Fortunately, the incident occurred before the plane reached cruising altitude, preventing a more disastrous outcome. Passengers described hearing a loud noise, feeling a jolt, and seeing items being sucked out of the aircraft.
There were no serious injuries reported, but several passengers required medical attention. Alaska Airlines stated that it is working with Boeing to understand the cause of the incident.
Flight Disruptions and Boeing Setbacks
Alaska Airlines warned that flight disruptions will likely continue as FAA inspections of its Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft will take more time. United Airlines has also suspended services on all its MAX 9 planes.
Boeing has faced a series of setbacks in recent years, including the grounding of the 737 MAX after two tragic crashes. The company fully supports the FAA's decision to ground the MAX 9 planes and conduct immediate inspections.
Boeing's engineering and quality problems have posed major challenges for the company. They have asked airlines to inspect all 737 MAX jets for potential issues and have experienced manufacturing problems with the rear fuselage fittings.
