Alaska Airlines: Door blows open mid-flight | Watch Video
PTC Web Desk: In a startling turn of events reported on Saturday, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX faced a mid-air emergency shortly after take-off when one of its doors unexpectedly blew open. The incident occurred minutes after departure, prompting an immediate response from the flight crew. Passenger-recorded videos depicted the mid-cabin exit door completely detaching from the aircraft, raising significant safety concerns mid-flight.
"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," Alaska Airlines confirmed in a post on X.
The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) also announced its investigation into the event involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.
According to real-time aircraft movement monitor Flightradar24, the Boeing 737 MAX involved in the incident had reached an altitude of 16,325 feet before being diverted safely back to Portland.
????#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
The specific Boeing 737-9 MAX involved was delivered to Alaska Airlines on October 1, 2023, and had entered commercial service on November 11, 2023, completing only 145 flights since its delivery.
In a noteworthy detail, Flightradar24 highlighted the unique configuration of Boeing 737-9 MAX, stating, "The 737-9 MAX includes a rear cabin exit door aft of the wings, but before the rear exit door. This is activated in dense seating configurations to meet evacuation requirements. The doors are not activated on Alaska Airlines aircraft and are permanently 'plugged.'"
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
The incident has raised serious safety concerns within the aviation industry, emphasising the critical need for thorough investigations to determine the cause and prevent future occurrences. Passengers, crew members, and their families' well-being were ensured as the aircraft safely returned to its departure airport.
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