Alaska Airlines delayed all of its Boeing 737-9 flights late Friday, hours after a glass and a part of metal on one of its planes cut off mid-flight after takeoff, requiring an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon. The gaping bole depressurized the cabin when the jet reached 16,000 feet (4,876 m) before returning to Portland.
Incident information:
According to aircraft tracking data from FlightAware, Alaska Airlines aircraft 1282 was redirected around six minutes after taking off at 5:07 p.m. “While this type of incident is rare, our flight crew had been instructed to be ready to safely manage the situation,” Alaska Airlines stated in a statement.
The airline released no immediate details on whether anybody suffered injuries or what caused the incident but stated that the aircraft landed safely with 174 passengers and six crew members on board.
Investigation Information:
The US National Transportation Safety Board stated that it was investigating an incident on the aircraft and would provide information as they were available. The Federal Aviation Administration has also stated that it is going to carry out an investigation. Boeing stated that it was aware of the event, was collecting further information, and was prepared to help the inquiry.
According to online FAA records, the Boeing 737-9 MAX involved in the incident came off the assembly line and got certification just over two months ago. According to FlightRadar24, it has flown on 145 trips since its commercial launch. The Max is the most recent version of Boeing’s famous 737, a twin-engine, single-aisle airliner that is regularly employed on domestic flights in the United States.
Incidents Before 2024
This is not the first time an airline has grounded a Boeing 737-9 aircraft due to safety issues. Even in the past, Boeing’s narrow-body planes often got them into difficulties. Two Boeing 737 Max 8 planes crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 passengers. All Max 8 and Max 9 planes were grounded for over two years as a result of the incidents. Only after making improvements to an automatic flight control system identified in the disasters was Boeing able to return its planes to service. Despite these challenges, the Boeing 737 Max remains one of the company’s most successful aircraft series.
Here’s all you need to know about Boeing 737-9
Boeing 737 Max 9 is one of the Boeing 737 Max models. The plane is based on early 737 designs and is more productive than previous versions. Its four models differ in terms of seating capacity, size, and length. The Boeing 737 Max 9 has 178 – 193 seats with a total seating capacity of 220 passengers. It is 42.16 meters in length and had a wing spread of 35.9 meters in all designs.
Launching of the Aircraft Boeing 737–9
In August 2011, the Boeing 737 Max series was made public. Five years later, on January 29, 2016, the company’s first Boeing 737 Max aircraft had its first flight and was approved by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in March 2017. The first Max 8 was sent to Malindo Air in May 2017, marking the start of Boeing 737 Max operation.
Features of Boeing 737–9
The plane has an improved aerodynamic design with advanced winglets to improve effective wingspan. This technology also helps to reduce the use of fuel and chemicals. Its flight deck includes four huge screens for increased operational efficiency, including a larger map that improves awareness of the situation for operators.
Summary of the conversation between Pilot and Traffic controller
The pilot passed on important details, and the air traffic controller supported the emergency landing plans, noting the situation’s importance and potential problems. Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 depressurized (release the pressure of the gas inside) without warning, leading the crew to signal an emergency and look for a descend to 10,000 feet.
The plane, carrying 177 passengers and 18,900 pounds of fuel, was flying from Seattle to Portland. The jet was told to drop to 7,000 feet by the air traffic controller. The pilot verified the depressurization problem and his plan to return to Portland. Despite having the option of burning off fuel before landing, the pilot chose not to. The air traffic controller sought information about the aircraft’s security as it prepared for the approach to Runway 28 Left and advised a ten-minute delay, which the pilot agreed to.
The controller provided just a few details on the situation, focusing on the pressure issue, passenger count, and fuel quantity. The emergency aircraft would be the next to arrive, according to the air traffic controller, who gave information on their location on a two-mile final approach and the expected access to the runway. Communication was often difficult throughout the encounter, with the pilot’s communication reported as muted and unclear at points.
Recap of the Incident
Due to a mid-flight accident involving glasses and metal, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 made an emergency descending and landing. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration are also investigating the event. The situation has similarities to previous safety incidents with Boeing’s narrow-body jets, such as the 737 Max 8 and Max 9 series. The Boeing 737-9, which was released in 2011, has had challenges but continues to be a popular type.
During the incident, the pilot’s continuous interaction with the air traffic controller shows the seriousness of the situation and the teamwork required to secure a safe landing.
