PORTLAND, Ore. – The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the temporary grounding of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes used by U.S. airlines, following an in-flight incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight. The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of the affected planes, prioritizing safety as it supports the National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation.
Alaska Airlines stated that it had already inspected over a quarter of its 737 Max 9 fleet. The incident occurred on Flight 1282, which was en route to Southern California. The aircraft landed safely at Portland International Airport with no reported injuries among the 174 passengers and six crew members.
The FAA explained that the crew had reported a pressurization issue, prompting the return to the airport. A passenger on board described the incident as a loud bang followed by the air masks deploying and a large hole appearing on the side of the fuselage. The cause of the detachment is currently unknown.
In response to the incident, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded all 65 of its 737 Max 9 aircraft for maintenance and safety inspections. The airline reported that a quarter of the inspections had been completed without any concerning findings. They expressed confidence in returning the planes to service once inspections were completed.
Boeing, the aircraft manufacturer, stated that it was aware of the incident and has coordinated with its airline customer. They offered their support to the ongoing investigation.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg has been briefed on the incident and is in close contact with the FAA regarding the response. Both the FAA and Alaska Airlines are conducting their own investigations, and the National Transportation Safety Board has dispatched a team to Portland for further examination.
To ensure the safety of passengers and employees, Alaska Airlines emphasized that their flight crew had been trained and prepared to manage such situations. The flight had been scheduled to land at Ontario International Airport in San Bernardino County, California.
The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft, which had previously been grounded worldwide after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. The grounding was lifted in November 2020 following modifications and a series of software updates.
In conclusion, the FAA has temporarily grounded certain Boeing 737 Max 9 airplanes used by U.S. airlines following an incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight. Alaska Airlines has already inspected a significant portion of its 737 Max 9 fleet. The incident resulted in no reported injuries, and the cause of the detachment is under investigation. Both the FAA and Alaska Airlines are conducting their own investigations, and the National Transportation Safety Board has initiated its own probe. Boeing is aware of the incident and offered its support to the investigation.