Part of an Alaska Airlines jet exploded mid-flight, forcing an emergency landing. In response to this horrific incident, Alaska Airlines took the precautionary step of grounding all of its Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft.
Dramatic video and photos have been released from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which was heading from Portland International Airport to Ontario, California. The Boeing 737-9 Max took off shortly before 5 p.m. Friday with six crew members and 171 passengers on board.
The plane flew for about 20 minutes before “the crew reported a pressurization problem.” according to to the Federal Aviation Administration.
During the flight, parts of the aircraft fell off, including a panel window. Fortunately, no passengers were sitting in the window seat next to the large opening.
A passenger's mobile phone was sucked out of a hole in the plane after the plane was suddenly damaged.
A child who was sitting relatively close to the damaged part of the airliner lost his shirt due to the vacuum of the damaged plane.
The video shows oxygen masks placed throughout the plane.
Photos of this alarming incident were taken by passenger Kyle Rinker.
“It was really sudden. As we got to altitude, the windows and walls fell off and we didn't realize it until the oxygen mask came off,” Rinker said. CNN.
Passenger Evan Smith said: KPTV“There was a pretty loud bang and hiss towards the back of the plane and all the masks fell off.”
According to reports, Flight 1282 made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport at 5:27 p.m. flight aware.
The Port of Portland Fire Department responded to the emergency landing and said one person was treated, but no serious injuries were reported.
Alaska Airlines said in a statement: “The safety of our customers and employees is always our top priority. As such, although this type of incident is rare, our flight crews are trained and able to safely manage the situation. It was prepared like that.”
Alaska Airlines grounded all Boeing 737-9 Max aircraft.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said of the incident:
At Alaska Airlines, safety is our core value and the most important thing we focus on every day. Following tonight's incident on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service only after complete maintenance and safety inspections have been completed. All testing is expected to be completed within the next few days. I am personally committed to doing everything I can to conduct this review in a timely and transparent manner. We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what happened tonight and will share updates as more information becomes available.
Boeing said in a statement: “We are aware of the incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. We are working to gather further information and are in contact with our airline customers.”
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board have launched an investigation into the situation on the Boeing 737-9 Max.
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