Alaska Airlines grounded its entire Boeing 737 Max 9 fleet after one plane lost a section of fuselage mid-flight on Friday. The incident forced an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon, with all 177 passengers and crew safe.
Passengers described a loud bang, depressurization, and missing parts of the plane. No injuries were reported, but the cause of the incident is under investigation.
Key points:
- Incident: Alaska Airlines Max 9 loses fuselage panel mid-flight, forcing emergency landing.
- Passengers: 177 safe, some reported loud bang, depressurization, and missing plane parts.
- Grounding: All Alaska Airlines Max 9s grounded for inspection.
- Investigations: National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing investigating cause.
- Safety concerns: Previous grounding of Max model due to fatal crashes, but expert says this incident likely unrelated.
Additional details:
- The flight was en route from Portland to Ontario, California.
- The missing panel was near the back of the plane, not related to emergency exit doors.
- Boeing and the FAA are cooperating with the investigation.
- More information is expected in the coming days.
This incident raises concerns about the safety of the 737 Max, but it’s important to note that the cause is still unknown and may be unrelated to previous issues. The grounding is a precautionary measure to ensure passenger safety.