An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX had a major incident last night, whereby a part of the fuselage (a deactivated emergency exit) blew out inflight. The airline has now temporarily grounded its entire fleet of these jets…
In this post:
Alaska Boeing 737 MAX 9 experiences rapid depressurization
This incident happened on Friday, January 5, 2024, and involves Alaska Airlines flight AS1282, scheduled to fly from Portland (PDX) to Ontario (ONT). The flight was operated by a two-month-old Boeing 737 MAX 9 with the registration code N704AL, and was carrying 171 passengers and six crew members.
The plane took off at 5:06PM PT. About seven minutes after takeoff, as the plane climbed through 16,000 feet, the aircraft experienced a rapid depressurization, as an interior sidewall (a deactivated emergency exit) near the rear left part of the fuselage suddenly separated from the aircraft.
At this point an emergency was declared, and the jet returned to Portland. It landed there 13 minutes after the issue arose, and 20 minutes after it departed.
Fortunately there were no major injuries, though a couple of phones were apparently sucked out of the aircraft. My gosh, this incident must have been terrifying for passengers. Imagine sitting on a 737 MAX, only to have the wall by your seat suddenly blow out.
For those wondering exactly which part of the aircraft had this issue, just take a look at the below picture I took of an Alaska 737 MAX 9. Alaska’s 737 MAX 9s only have eight exits — a forward and rear exit on each side, plus two exits over the wing on each side. However, you’ll notice how the 12th window from the back has some extra space, and what looks like a door.
Alaska doesn’t actually use this as an emergency exit, as it doesn’t need to, due to the plane’s capacity. However, some airlines with higher capacity do use this as an emergency exit, in line with regulations. So for airlines that don’t need this, the exit is just deactivated.
Here’s what Alaska CEO Ben Minucci had to say about this incident:
“We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred tonight, and will share updates as more information is available. The NTSB is investigating this event and we will fully support their investigation.”
“My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants. We have teams on the ground in Portland assisting passengers and are working to support guests who are traveling in the days ahead.”
Alaska temporarily grounds Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet
Following this incident, Alaska Airlines has announced that it’s temporarily grounding its entire Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet. The airline has 65 of these jets, so this makes up nearly one-third of the carrier’s mainline fleet. The airline describes this as a “precautionary step,” and states that “each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections.” The airline anticipates that all inspections will be completed in the next few days.
The Air Current reports that the exact jet involved in this incident had some pressurization issues the previous day. On January 4, 2024, the same exact jet apparently had a pressurization warning light appear during taxi-in following a flight. The airline then decided to remove the jet from ETOPS operations (meaning the airplane couldn’t fly overwater), in line with the company’s maintenance rules. The same light appeared again later the same day while inflight.
That sure suggests that there was some indication of there being an issue with this aircraft, and that’s not great. Of course hindsight is 20/20, but it sounds like the plane should have been fully taken out of service, and not just prevented from flying across bodies of water. Hopefully this is just an isolated incident that can be linked to a specific cause, because the 737 MAX sure doesn’t need any more issues…
Bottom line
A brand new Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 had a major incident last night, where a part of the fuselage blew out shortly after the plane departed Portland. This is now being investigated, though this exact same jet apparently had some indicator lights go off the day before related to pressurization, which makes you wonder.
Thank goodness no one was seriously injured, and this incident sure makes you wonder, given that this jet is only a couple of months old. If you’re flying Alaska in the next few days, expect that you may have some operational disruptions.
What do you make of this Alaska Boeing 737 MAX incident?
I've searched a roundtrip from SFO-SJD over the present 3 day period using Alaska's flight status that is linked to Flight Aware.................of the 6 flights 4 list the Max as the plane and one was the 700 and the other was cancelled.........so that is clearly an indication that they have made inspections and have put the MAX back in the air..............
Another reminder to avoid this plane.
I still avoid them like the plague, and why I fly Delta in the states, or Airbus metal with AA.
As of Monday AM (Jan 8) the missing panel/plug has been located and the NTSB is investigating.
Also, the voice recorder was over written. Apparently only 2 hours of conversation is kept before over written with new conversations. Someone forgot to pull the circuit breaker that would have turned off the recorder. NTSB director expressed "concern" over the recorder issue.
I can't help but notice that such incidents have become more common.
A few weeks ago Boeing found a loose bolt on an undelivered 787 Max
That’s a good thing. Professional companies that care about quality will check their products pre-delivery and catch these errors before something breaks. Boeing missed the problem on this plane a couple of months ago and that is not good.
Amazing that Alaska just finally moved away from Airbus, having decided to be an all-Boeing airline.
Any regrets, Alaska?
Seriously, one of the conditions of Alaska buying Hawaiian should be that under no circumstances should HA's A321neos be allowed to be dumped prematurely in the same way Alaska dumped the Virgin A320neos.
Meanwhile, Boeing last night tried to sneak in a safety exemption for the 737-MAX7:
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-wants-faa-to-exempt-max-7-from-safety-rules-to-get-it-in-the-air/
Great timing!
Copa and Turkish have grounded their 737-Max 9 fleet.
Alaska Airlines should be ashamed of themselves from pushing this MAX on the public! SHAME ON BOING AND ALASKA AIRLINES! I will NEVER board this plane!
All you need to know about Boeing's business model
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-wants-faa-to-exempt-max-7-from-safety-rules-to-get-it-in-the-air/
Boeing stated in in his filing for an exemption to certify the Max 7 and 10: “Boeing’s quantitative risk assessment evaluated this scenario to be extremely improbable.”
A delay in certifying the Max 7 and 10 on the other hand would very probably lead to lower bonuses and a lower stock price – so, case closed.
All you need to know about Boeing's business model
https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-wants-faa-to-exempt-max-7-from-safety-rules-to-get-it-in-the-air/
Boeing stated in in his filing for an exemption to certify the Max 7 and 10: “Boeing’s quantitative risk assessment evaluated this scenario to be extremely improbable.”
A delay in certifying the Max 7 and 10 on the other hand would very probably lead to lower bonuses and a lower stock price – so, case closed.
I wonder why no one has raised the fact that the 737-900 (non-max) has the same door and has been in service for years?
Excellent reporting Ben.
TK grounded them too. Will the 737-800 max also be grounded?
I'm scheduled to fly 737-900 Max on Alaska PDX-JFK Jan 14. Any guesses on the likelihood of cancellation of that flight? I'm connecting to AA flight to EZE late that same night on a separate ticket. So I'm wondering if I will need to make alternative plans to get to JFK.
Don't wait around until they cancel it, unless you just like headaches and paying 3x more. Get on the Delta, or scrap that itinerary and redo through DFW, IAH, ATL, or MIA.
I'd make other plans. with so many affected aircraft the likelihood of having a problem here is dramatically higher.
I’d imagine the prior pressurization issue reported by TAC is unrelated - would be a MEL issue where redundant systems allow for safe operation.
A plug door detaching from the aircraft is a completely different, structural issue. Because that’s a factory configuration and a brand new plane, it’s doubtful any AS technician has ever even seen behind the all panel at the inside of that door. Would be inspected at the first C-check but that’s...
I’d imagine the prior pressurization issue reported by TAC is unrelated - would be a MEL issue where redundant systems allow for safe operation.
A plug door detaching from the aircraft is a completely different, structural issue. Because that’s a factory configuration and a brand new plane, it’s doubtful any AS technician has ever even seen behind the all panel at the inside of that door. Would be inspected at the first C-check but that’s not for years.
Very curious to see if the panel is found and what info that provides, but this seems like a cut-and-dry manufacturing defect by Boeing. Someday someone will have to produce a documentary about Boeing losing their way, but they’re clearly not an engineering firm anymore. Sad to watch.
There is actually one on Netflix, well it’s about the Max 8 but takes a look into Boeing’s manufacturing practices.
It’s called DOWNFALL: THE CASE AGAINST BOEING.
I'm majorly dismayed by the gross inaccuracies in the descriptions in the popular press about the accident -- ranging from a window that was blown out to part of the side of the airplane that came apart. I know most reporters and editors aren't plane enthusiasts like us but reporters and editors should be professional enough to accurately describe what happened. And if they don't know they should consult someone who can explain it to them.
The media are quoting people on the plane. So if you want to criticize, just come out and say the passengers aren't as smart as you are.
Seriously, Rossi is that all you can contribute. I guess you have very low expectations about what the media ought to be doing. I expect the media to inform the public with accurate information and help understand what really happened. If I want simply to hear what the public is saying, I'd sign up for TikTok
I think Boeing should really re-evaluate their commercial airliner division. History has shown that USA is terrible at manufacturing things that transport people from A to B.
Time to also have a serious look at the role of the US regulators, as well. After the two (2) year embargo and grounding of the B737-8MAX, you'd think that the FAA would have examined *all* of Boeing's business practices, manufacturing procedures and designs to a tee. Apparently not, if the reports in the Seattle Times regarding Boeing's quiet request to shuffle the B737-7 and B737-10 as 'exempt' on a grandfather basis.
Boeing has seriously...
Time to also have a serious look at the role of the US regulators, as well. After the two (2) year embargo and grounding of the B737-8MAX, you'd think that the FAA would have examined *all* of Boeing's business practices, manufacturing procedures and designs to a tee. Apparently not, if the reports in the Seattle Times regarding Boeing's quiet request to shuffle the B737-7 and B737-10 as 'exempt' on a grandfather basis.
Boeing has seriously lost it's way - and I wonder if the relationship and dependence on Boeing's input by the FAA plays way too highly in what should be a service to ensure 'safe' flight - not only for US citizens but also for the wider, global aviation community? I suspect that 'thinking people' in the USA will be re-focusing their attention on the role of government regulation after this visibly high-profile issue.
Looking at the picture, it looks like the plug panel is mounted from the outside and bolted to inside tabs that surround the opening (and not that many - I count 6 on each side). The pressure will push on the panel. The rear of the plane flex's so that would put stress on the bolts.
Real doors open to the inside and fit on the inside of the frame and the pressure pushes...
Looking at the picture, it looks like the plug panel is mounted from the outside and bolted to inside tabs that surround the opening (and not that many - I count 6 on each side). The pressure will push on the panel. The rear of the plane flex's so that would put stress on the bolts.
Real doors open to the inside and fit on the inside of the frame and the pressure pushes it - making the seal tighter.
Looks to me like the bolts failed. That is why it is critical they need to find the plug panel that blew off.
737 Screamliner
Boeing delivered close to 1500 MAX as of now - nearly the same as or more than totals for A330, 757, 767, 777, 787 - none of he MAXs delivered had similar issues, definitely not at 2 months old. This particular plane must be defective, for whatever reason - maintenance or production. While not cool and you're free to say what you will about MAX, this is a very specific and isolated incident, not indicative...
Boeing delivered close to 1500 MAX as of now - nearly the same as or more than totals for A330, 757, 767, 777, 787 - none of he MAXs delivered had similar issues, definitely not at 2 months old. This particular plane must be defective, for whatever reason - maintenance or production. While not cool and you're free to say what you will about MAX, this is a very specific and isolated incident, not indicative of anything. If this happened to an A330NEO or A320NEO - this would barely be news.
Two doors on the left side both defective? I reckon that airframe isn’t straight…
Try saying the same thing after JT610.
Hahaha. The 737 max can crash 30 times and the boeing fanboys be like “it’s an isolated incident”. You keep telling yourself that.
How does the saying go? Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me thrice, I’m a Boeing obsessed moron?
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67903655
FAA is grounding some of them now apparently.
AP is now reporting that FAA is grounding all 737-9 Maxs. That would include UA.
BOEING:
B-etter
O-rder
E-xtra
I-nsurance
N-ext
G-etaway
What I’m learning on this blog and other online forums is that you can’t say anything even slightly negative about Boeing or you get attacked. Apparently the are a perfect company making perfect products with perfect quality control and anything bad that my happens is due to the airlines.
Seems your learnings aren’t correct
It's the other way around mate.
I rest my case
Imagine if this had been at 40,000 feet? It's quite possible the explosive decompression would have pulled the frame apart. As someone said, Boeing's philosophy seems to be taken from software makers who launch a buggy product and wait for the end users to come back with any fixes. Not very professional in any business but in aviation lethal and it's just a matter of time before more lives are lost. Boeing still has quality...
Imagine if this had been at 40,000 feet? It's quite possible the explosive decompression would have pulled the frame apart. As someone said, Boeing's philosophy seems to be taken from software makers who launch a buggy product and wait for the end users to come back with any fixes. Not very professional in any business but in aviation lethal and it's just a matter of time before more lives are lost. Boeing still has quality issues with the new 777-9x and the Dreamliner. They're not fit for purpose. One more serious accident and it could be the end for Boeing in its current form.
If it's Boeing... I ain't going.
US airlines need to seriously consider the Chinese built CS919.
Hello from the behind the great firewall of China. Welcome to discourse
Boeing stock on Monday will drop for sure
Will they accommodate onto other types for free? I see Alaska is already rushing Max9 back into service after inspection. Greed triumphs!
Rushing them back into service? What would you suggest they do instead? Give each plane a day or two to sit and relax after its inspection is complete? Once the plane is inspected, it's ready to fly again.
Boeing asked all airliners to check for loose bolts on Dec 29…. Lol
THAT'S UNRELATED TO THIS INCIDENT. THISE BOLTS WERE ON THE WING.
Lol if you think the two are unrelated then you are hopelessly misinformed.
Says the guy thinking bolts on a wing affect an emergency exit. Lol
A manufacturing defect of insufficiently secured bolts on the wing is quite obviously likely correlated to the incidence of manufacturing defects that apparently led to this incident.
Look, Boeing could very well be at fault here, especially given the age of the aircraft, and its history, there could be a design flaw.
But let’s not get too brash before we even know any details. It does appear Alaska could have taken steps to prevent this, and opted not to. Obviously hindsight is 20/20, but it’s important not to assign blame so soon. Regardless of the plane type, an aircraft is only as...
Look, Boeing could very well be at fault here, especially given the age of the aircraft, and its history, there could be a design flaw.
But let’s not get too brash before we even know any details. It does appear Alaska could have taken steps to prevent this, and opted not to. Obviously hindsight is 20/20, but it’s important not to assign blame so soon. Regardless of the plane type, an aircraft is only as safe as the airlines and people that maintain them. So we’ll have to see the exact details before passing judgment.
I am a fairly regular airplane passenger (approx 12-14 flights per year)
I am sooo happy that the 737 MAX is not that popular here in Europe (the airlines I fly are mostly airbus 319/20 (Neo) Users.
The whole 737 max seems to be a huge Shitshow. I hope Lufthansa gives away their ordered 737 max to Brussels (which I never fly)
I just don’t have any trust anymore in 737 Max and my trust also defeated in boing itself
Reports are that a teenager and his mother were sitting in the middle and aisle seats of that row. His shirt was sucked completely off of him.
Also photos show that the seatback cushion of the window seat is missing.
The anti MAX comments are wrong. The 900ER also has those plugs because of airline greed. Delta does the same thing. They should exceed the legal minimum when easily possible.
They should ground the 900ER, too. That would mean 70% of the airline grounded.
While the Boeing haters here are annoying as hell (not surprising either), I don't quite agree with your comment - I believe this accident was due to a problem of this particular airframe.
It was a brand new aircraft and this happened, yet -900ERs started to be produced almost 18 years ago and no such accident happened so far. So the action doesn't really seem like it needs to be extended to the -900ERs.
That being said, I don't see this as a problem of whole Boeing 737 MAX either...
At this point I think I will do my best to avoid flying on 737-MAX
Avoid the 737-900ER, which has the same plug design
US airlines should only buy Airbus and also consider the CS919.
An FAA database shows that this particular aircraft was written up on December 31 by a flight attendant because the L1 (primary passenger boarding) door was difficult to open.
The aircraft was taken out of service, ALK maintenance checked the torque on the handle and it far exceeded prescribed levels so they disassembled the door and handle, lubricated it and reinstalled the handle at the correct, lower torque.
It is highly unlikely that...
An FAA database shows that this particular aircraft was written up on December 31 by a flight attendant because the L1 (primary passenger boarding) door was difficult to open.
The aircraft was taken out of service, ALK maintenance checked the torque on the handle and it far exceeded prescribed levels so they disassembled the door and handle, lubricated it and reinstalled the handle at the correct, lower torque.
It is highly unlikely that an airline would have or should have had to do maintenance on a door for an aircraft that was then just 2 months old.
This serves as a useful reminder to us all to wear our seat belts during flight. No fun being sucked out.
Terrifying. At what altitude would an un-belted passenger get “sucked out”?
Judging by this incident, 16,000 feet might be enough!
These are speed holes. They make the plane go faster.
Need to find the panel that blew off the airframe. Based on the graphic, looks to be over land which is a good start. If in rural area, a hunter, hiker, or farmer will find it.
Tell that to the people looking for the rest of DB Cooper’s money.
Have faith!!
The hatch that flew off Untied 811 was eventually found in the waters near Hawaii.
Based on its analysis, the FAA required rework on the remaining fleet.
Some comments below don't have the facts right.
The 737-900ER/MAX CAN have the exits behind the wing but before the rear doors plugged IF the passenger count is low enough - which it is for AS and most airlines that have a mixed class configuration. The plane is capable of carrying a larger number of passengers by keeping the exit open.
The chances are high that this was a manufacturing defect specific to that...
Some comments below don't have the facts right.
The 737-900ER/MAX CAN have the exits behind the wing but before the rear doors plugged IF the passenger count is low enough - which it is for AS and most airlines that have a mixed class configuration. The plane is capable of carrying a larger number of passengers by keeping the exit open.
The chances are high that this was a manufacturing defect specific to that aircraft given how young the plane was but it is possible that AS maintenance did something to the plane after delivery. The NTSB already knows whether that was the case on top of the inspections that AS and other airlines have done - whether announced or not.
Regardless of how or when the defect happened, it is an unacceptable failure but the scope of it has everything to do with how many other aircraft are found to have a similar problem. Based on a single incident and no evidence of problems on other aircraft, there is no reason to ground the fleet.
It is concerning that there were problems w/ pressurization on that aircraft but it was returned to service but just not allowed to venture far from land. I am certain that decision will be examined along w/ any actions AS took to figure out why there was a pressurization problem in the first place.
Seatbelt fastened?
only airbus in the future.. boing has an quality check issue. The old Boeings are maintained by the airlines so I think they are safe but no new aircraft anymore. thanks god there is airbus quality.
Proudl all boeing!
According to AS Twitter message staff they have already completed many safety inspections over night. This shouldn’t have the operational impact one could expect. For example, see AS 1444 that is ready to fly this morning SFO-CUN.
A 737 Max worldwide grounding coming. At a minimum, those with this door plugged, and other carriers who plug their doors on different types will have to consider grounding.
GREEEEEEEED! Plain and simple. These airlines either want to push in more seats, or have less flight attendants. The optics of an EMERGENCY DOOR being sealed up (yes most of us know how this works) is going to go down somewhat awful across the news and...
A 737 Max worldwide grounding coming. At a minimum, those with this door plugged, and other carriers who plug their doors on different types will have to consider grounding.
GREEEEEEEED! Plain and simple. These airlines either want to push in more seats, or have less flight attendants. The optics of an EMERGENCY DOOR being sealed up (yes most of us know how this works) is going to go down somewhat awful across the news and with the public). "Why are they sealing exit doors" will be the upcoming headlines.
Boeing and its door issues. 777-9 door blows out in testing.
Ben wrote this on a Qantas post "A380 Cabin-Flex makes available the extra space for additional seats by allowing the upper-deck at “Doors-3” to be deactivated. Compared with current A380 layouts, A380 Cabin-Flex can bring up to 11 more premium economy seats or seven business class seats"
GREED! The fallout is going to be massive.
I waited a bit before flying the MAX. I recently flew MVD-PTY-LAX on Copa Max planes (awful - cause I hate the 737 anyway). I always feel drained after 737 flights).
I will be avoiding these MAX planes now, and Im a massive AV geek that knows a lot about aircraft, but no thanks.
Google the comprehensive article on Boeing being run by accountants and not the engineers, after the MD merger. Its an eye opener, because EVERY new plane type that has come out of Boeing since, has had massive massive structural and safety issues. 787 (was grounded). 737-MAX's (was grounded)...and whatever happened to the 737-10? Cant get the 777-9 certified and in the air (5+ years behind). These are the new types since the merger. 777-300ER was just an extension of the 777 that was designed premerger.
Boeing can no longer build planes. They have clearly put PROFIT before safety, and here we are.
I’m not seeing the cancellations reflected, even for today. Any idea why Lucky?
We obviously have to wait for the result of the investigation in this case. But Boeing does have some issues these days. I'm hoping that the quality of its aircrafts hasn't been compromised as a result.
Ah the Max. The gift that just keeps giving.
To pilots and aviation geeks, help me asses how worried should I be by this story. Would you put your family on a 373 Max to fly home?
Yes
No. Especially not one with the door plug.
Not if there is an alternative. Boeing was able to get away after the two self-induced Max 8 disasters with a slap on the wrist. That definitely didn't help the learning process of the management to put quality and safety above profit concerns.
I hope the leadership team at Boeing stop worrying about the shareholders and really focus on their responsibility to the flying public. They were deceptive about MCAS in order to ensure robust sales (no simulator based training), they knew there were serious issues after the first near crash (before the 2 crashes), then the issues with the bolts on the rudder(?) and now a 2 month old plugged door blows out. This is what I...
I hope the leadership team at Boeing stop worrying about the shareholders and really focus on their responsibility to the flying public. They were deceptive about MCAS in order to ensure robust sales (no simulator based training), they knew there were serious issues after the first near crash (before the 2 crashes), then the issues with the bolts on the rudder(?) and now a 2 month old plugged door blows out. This is what I might expect from a new manufacturer entrant, not what has been a market leader in commercial jet production for decades.
Boeing hasn't been the market leader for the last two decades...
I wrote 'a' market leader, not 'the market leader'. Sometimes they have the most sales, sometimes it's Airbus.
Never stepping on a MAX plane again
Yeah, I’m booked on Alaska LAX to Maui in March. Gulp.
Ok?
Boeing truly is the GM of plane manufacturers
If it’s Boeing, I definitely ain’t going.
lol to all the clowns who said the 737 max is “safe” because “theyre under more scrutiny now”
Jump to conclusions much? lol
More quality American work...
MAGA
Well aviation has certainly entered 2024 with a bang between this and the HND crash
An Airbus rear ends another plane on landing and stays completely intact. A brand new Boeing can't even make it to 16,000ft. Completely ridiculous.
What are you smoking? the JAL A350 was completely destroyed
I believe BurritoMiles is referring to the 350 essentially staying intact till the fire spread.
Personally I am still concerned that the 350 had multiple jammed doors and required 12 times the 90 seconds allotted to deplane. The 350 and most aircraft in use should never have received certification, everybody knows those deplaning tests are rigged.