Alaska Airlines flight experienced rapid depressurization after take-off from Portland, Oregon.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the temporary grounding of the 737 Boeing Max 9 after a plug door blew out of an Alaska Airlines flight Friday night. In the aftermath, the FAA required the “immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 Max 9 planes.” Alaska Airlines temporarily grounded its entire 737 fleet after the accident.
The flight had taken off from Portland, Oregon, ten minutes before and requested an emergency return to land. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy commended the “swift and decisive action” of the crew and first responders and expressed relief that the plane had not reached cruising altitude, so passengers and flight attendants were not moving around the plane. She reported that no one had been seated next to the panel that blew out.
Chair Homendy stated, “We are very, very fortunate here that this didn’t end up in something more tragic.” While several passengers did require medication attention due to the flight decompression, no severe injuries were reported.
“Safety will continue to drive our decision-making as we assist the NTSB’s investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282,” FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker said.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Administrator Whitaker to be discerning as he heads the FAA.
- For NTSB Chair Homendy as she oversees the investigation of the airliner accident.
- With gratitude to the Lord that no one was seriously injured or killed in the event.
Sources: CBS News, Fox Business
