Chaos erupted on an Alaska Airlines passenger plane when a huge piece of the plane was blown off mid-flight, leaving a gaping hole that sucked out passengers' belongings and forcing an emergency landing.
Friday's flight departed from Portland, Oregon, at 4:52 p.m., bound for Ontario, California. But the flight turned into a nightmare when the plane had to return to Portland International Airport just 35 minutes after takeoff, the paper said. data From FlightAware.
In a statement posted to X, Alaska Airlines said “an incident” occurred on the flight, which had 171 passengers and six crew members on board, without providing an explanation.
This evening, the accident occurred shortly after departure on flight AS1282 from Portland, California to Ontario. The aircraft landed safely at Portland International Airport with 171 passengers and six crew members on board. We are investigating what happened and will share more information as it becomes available.
— Alaska Airlines (@AlaskaAir) January 6, 2024
However, a horrifying video taken by a passenger on the plane quickly went viral on social media, showing the danger of the situation.
@strawberr.vy A girls trip turns into a crash landing… #Alaska #Alaska Airlines
Fortunately, the seats closest to the hall were empty and no one was seriously injured.
Passengers described the horrifying incident to KPTV, detailing the condition of people's phones and belongings. sucked out of aircraft.
One guest said a mother had to force her child into a seat.
The child, who was sitting in the seat closest to the damaged part of the plane, also lost his shirt and his skin was red from the wind.
Oxygen masks were deployed immediately after the debris blew away, and passengers used them until the plane returned to Portland.
The pilot's audio recording captured the moments immediately after the emergency occurred at an altitude of approximately 16,000 feet.
What I found was; @liveatc recording of #ASA1282 A state of emergency was declared at Seattle Center at approximately 5:12 p.m. PT. The aircraft is believed to have been climbing at approximately 12,000 feet. “Hmm, I'd like to get off.” pic.twitter.com/P8xxJ5nsbj
— Brian McGuigan (@bricaul) January 6, 2024
“Approaching Portland, Alaska 1282 emergency! The aircraft is currently leveling out at 12,000 in a left turn heading for 3400,” the Alaska Airlines pilot said.
“It's an emergency. We're depressurizing. We need to get back. Passengers 177. Fuel 188.”
FWhen the plane landed, first responders arrived on the tarmac and treated the minor injuries. One person was taken for further medical testing, the Port of Portland told KPTV.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Boeing 737 Max 9 is virtually new, having only been manufactured and approved for flight in late October. registry.
As a result of the incident, Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded all Boeing 737-9 aircraft late Friday.
“Following tonight's incident on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft,” Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci said in a statement. ” he said. Said in press release. “Each aircraft will only be returned to service after complete maintenance and safety inspections have been completed.”
“We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what happened tonight and will share updates as more information becomes available.”
Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) all launched investigationby daily mail.
“My deepest sympathies go out to everyone on this flight. I am truly sorry for what you experienced. I am very grateful for the actions of the pilots and flight attendants,” Minicucci said in a statement. I added it.
