U.S. DoJ Initiates Criminal Probe into Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Incident

The Department of Justice (DOJ) is conducting a criminal investigation concerning a significant malfunction on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 that resulted in a panel blowout, creating a large hole in the aircraft mid-flight on January 5th, as reported by the Wall Street Journal on March 9. The incident, which involved a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet taking off from Portland, Oregon, and executing an emergency landing shortly thereafter, has led to intensified scrutiny of Boeing’s practices and procedures.

According to sources close to the matter, the DOJ has reached out to passengers, crew members, pilots, and flight attendants aboard the troubled flight to gather more information about the event. Boeing has been in the spotlight since the door plug panel detached from the aircraft, raising safety concerns despite no severe injuries reported.

Alaska Airlines has confirmed its cooperation with the investigation, stating that it does not consider itself a target of the probe. Meanwhile, Boeing has refrained from commenting, and the DOJ has yet to respond to inquiries for comment.

This investigation is said to support the DOJ’s evaluation of Boeing’s adherence to a settlement reached in 2021, which concluded a federal investigation into the 737 Max aircraft’s safety following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. Under the settlement, Boeing agreed to a $2.5 billion payment, including a $244 million fine, over allegations of misleading regulators about the aircraft’s flight-control system flaws.

Boeing disclosed in a recent letter to Congress that it has been unable to locate records related to the work on the Alaska Airlines plane’s door panel, suggesting that the necessary documentation may never have been created, despite company protocol.

The Senate Commerce Committee has been actively involved, with Chair Jennifer Homendy of the National Transportation Safety Board expressing frustration over Boeing’s reluctance to provide detailed information about the individuals responsible for the door panel’s maintenance and the associated documentation.

The preliminary report by the NTSB identified missing bolts crucial for securing the door plug, leading to questions about the quality assurance, management, and safety systems in place at Boeing. This incident has reignited concerns about Boeing’s safety culture and operational practices, despite efforts to address shortcomings identified in the aftermath of the 737 Max 8 crashes that resulted in 346 fatalities.

As the DOJ’s investigation unfolds, it aims to clarify the circumstances leading to the January incident and assess Boeing’s compliance with aviation safety standards and legal agreements. The aviation community and regulatory bodies continue to monitor developments closely, seeking to ensure the integrity of airline safety and manufacturing practices.

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