The Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched an investigation into a blowout incident on an Alaska Airlines flight, according to reports from The Wall Street Journal. The DOJ has reached out to passengers and crew members on the flight, as part of their probe. Alaska Airlines has stated that they are fully cooperating with the investigation and do not believe they are the target.
This investigation will inform the DOJ’s review of whether Boeing complied with a previous settlement that resolved a federal investigation into two fatal incidents involving Boeing 737 Max jets in 2018 and 2019. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had lifted its grounding order for the Boeing 737 Max jet in November 2020 after a 20-month review following the crashes that claimed the lives of 346 passengers.
Passengers on the Jan. 5 flight have been notified that they may be potential crime victims in the case, according to a document seen by The Wall Street Journal. Pilots and flight attendants have already been interviewed as part of the investigation.
The blowout incident occurred when a door plug blew off the jetliner shortly after takeoff from Oregon’s Portland International Airport. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a report last month that found four key bolts were missing from the door plug. The report also stated that the observed damage patterns and absence of contact damage or deformation indicated that the four bolts were missing before the incident occurred.
The blowout prompted the FAA to ground similar Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliners for inspections, resulting in numerous flight cancellations. The DOJ’s investigation will seek to determine if Boeing complied with safety regulations and if there was any negligence on the part of the airline.
This incident highlights the importance of holding both Boeing and the airline accountable for ensuring passenger safety. The DOJ’s investigation will shed light on whether proper safety protocols were followed and if there were any violations that contributed to the blowout. It is crucial to address any potential shortcomings to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
As this investigation unfolds, it is essential for all parties involved to cooperate fully and transparently. The safety of airline passengers should always be a top priority, and any lapses in safety measures must be addressed promptly. The results of this investigation will have significant implications for both Boeing and the aviation industry as a whole.
