Passengers File $1 Billion Lawsuit Against Boeing and Alaska Airlines Over Mid-Flight Door Incident

Three passengers have initiated a $1 billion lawsuit against Alaska Airlines and Boeing following a terrifying mid-flight incident where a door plug detached from an Alaska Airlines aircraft. The legal action, stemming from claims of negligence by both the airline and the aircraft manufacturer, was filed on February 20 in Multnomah County, Oregon. The plaintiffs, Kyle Rinker, Amanda Strickland, and Kevin Kwok, were among the passengers on Alaska Flight 1282 from Portland to Ontario, California, when the incident occurred in early January.

The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages for the severe mental, emotional, psychological, and physical injuries the plaintiffs allege they suffered due to the incident. They reported experiencing extreme panic and fear, post-traumatic stress, and physical harm as the cabin’s sudden pressure change caused discomfort and even bleeding ears among some passengers.

Jonathan W. Johnson, LLC, an Atlanta-based aviation law firm representing the plaintiffs, stated the lawsuit aims to hold Boeing accountable for what they describe as a preventable and life-threatening failure. The firm highlighted ongoing concerns regarding Boeing aircraft’s safety, pointing to subsequent investigations that unveiled similar defects across other planes manufactured by the company.

This legal battle emphasizes the broader narrative of safety versus profits, criticizing Boeing and Alaska Airlines for allegedly prioritizing financial gains over passenger well-being. The plaintiffs’ experience on Flight 1282, which had to make an emergency return to Portland International Airport shortly after takeoff due to the door plug issue, underscores their allegations.

Despite the aircraft’s safe landing and minor injuries reported among passengers, the incident left a lasting impact, with some losing personal belongings to the sudden cabin decompression. A preliminary investigation by the National Transportation and Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that missing bolts, crucial for securing the door plug, contributed to the incident.

The lawsuit emerges amidst broader scrutiny of the Boeing 737 Max 9 jets, prompting temporary flight cancellations by Alaska and United Airlines for inspections, which revealed loose hardware on grounded planes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since mandated a global grounding of the model for immediate inspection and continues to investigate the safety compliance of Boeing’s aircraft in collaboration with the NTSB.

Boeing faces another class-action lawsuit from passengers of the same flight, alleging physical and emotional trauma, though Alaska Airlines is not named in that suit. Responses from both Boeing and Alaska Airlines regarding the $1 billion lawsuit have been limited, citing the ongoing investigation and pending litigation.

This legal action marks a significant effort by the passengers to seek justice and ensure such incidents are prevented in the future, spotlighting the paramount importance of aircraft safety and regulatory compliance.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, cbsnews.com