The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is viewing the Alaska Airlines flight in January 2024 during which a plugged door blew out as a potential crime.
While the FBI famously never confirms or denies an investigation, letters, seen by Reuters, have been sent from the FBI to the passengers of the Boeing 737 MAX 9 flight, telling them they have been identified as “a possible victim of a crime.”
Criminal investigations, the letters go on to say, “can be a lengthy undertaking, and, for several reasons, we cannot tell you about its progress at this time.”
Reminder to keep your seatbelt on at all times when flying.
— Zero State Reflex (@ZeroStateReflex) January 6, 2024
737 window piece blew out beginning of flight. Just saw the article. Jfc, imagine that happening at 30k..😬
I think this is that flight… nobody was hurt and landed safely. https://t.co/srDBorVNCV#alaskaairlines pic.twitter.com/1YtFUlX0g7
Boeing’s woes
What took place aboard Flight 1282 went viral, with images showing wind whipping through a gaping hole in the plane’s fuselage at 16,000 feet, after a door that should have been sealed shut was ripped from the aircraft. While the plane and passengers landed safely, the effect on Boeing was equally viral – its entire U.S. fleet of MAX 9s struck to the ground by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and stock prices were sent plummeting.
The revelation of the FBI’s letters will not improve Boeing’s fortunes. “This case is currently under investigation by the FBI,” they informed passengers. The communication is in line with the U.S. Justice Department’s policy on notifying possible crime victims – a policy updated in 2022 after plea deals with Boeing were struck without the consent of families of victims killed in 2018 and 2019 Boeing MAX 8 crashes.
“My clients and I welcome the DOJ investigation,” Mark Lindquist, attorney for some of the flight’s passengers, told CNN, “We want accountability. We want answers. We want safer Boeing planes. And a DOJ investigation helps advance our goals.”
Four bolts
According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the problem with the plugged door could come down to four bolts, said to be missing from the plane Boeing delivered to Alaska Airlines. However, Boeing has failed to supply documents about removing the bolts to the Board, saying “We have looked extensively and have not found any such documentation” and that “the documents required by our processes were not created when the door plug was opened.”
Failure to cooperate and disclose
However, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy has criticized Boeing for failing to cooperate and disclose information, not only concerning the way the plugged door opened and closed, but also the identities of crew members responsible for door assembly.
Alaska Airlines has said it is fully cooperating with all investigations regarding the incident.
