Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 9 MAX
An emergency unfolded today when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 9 MAX experienced a mid-air incident shortly after take-off, as one of its doors blew open. Videos captured by passengers revealed the complete detachment of the mid-cabin exit door from the aircraft.
What Alaska Airlines have to say?
Alaska Airlines provided a statement on the incident, stating, “AS1282 from Portland to Ontario, CA (California) experienced an incident this evening soon after departure.
The aircraft landed safely back at Portland International Airport with 171 guests and 6 crew members. We are investigating what happened and will share more as it becomes available.”
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed its involvement in the investigation, posting on social media platform X about the ongoing inquiry into the event concerning Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.
AS1282 from Portland to Ontario, CA experienced an incident this evening soon after departure. The aircraft landed safely back at Portland International Airport with 171 guests and 6 crew members. We are investigating what happened and will share more as it becomes available.
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) January 6, 2024
According to the real-time aircraft movement monitor Flightradar24, the aircraft reached a maximum altitude of 16,325 feet before being diverted safely back to Portland.
Previous incidents like these
The Boeing 737 MAX involved in the incident had been delivered to Alaska Airlines on October 1, 2023, and entered commercial service on November 11, 2023. With only 145 flights accumulated since its delivery, the relatively new aircraft faced this unforeseen issue.
🚨#BREAKING: Alaska Airlines Forced to Make an Emergency Landing After Large Aircraft Window Blows Out Mid-Air ⁰⁰📌#Portland | #Oregon
⁰A Forced emergency landing was made of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 at Portland International Airport on Friday night. The flight, traveling… pic.twitter.com/nt0FwmPALE— R A W S A L E R T S (@rawsalerts) January 6, 2024
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Flightradar24 provided additional context, noting that the 737-9 MAX includes a rear cabin exit door aft of the wings, positioned before the rear exit door. Although designed for dense seating configurations to meet evacuation requirements, these doors are not activated on Alaska Airlines aircraft and remain permanently “plugged.” The investigation continues to determine the cause of the door separation mid-flight.
