A brand new Boeing 737 MAX 9, operated by Alaska Airlines, was forced to make an emergency landing at Portland International Airport shortly after takeoff on Friday evening due to its mid-cabin exit door detaching from the aircraft mid-flight. This incident was recorded and shared on social media platform X.
The Max jet, registered as N704AL, was operating as AS1282 from PDX to Ontario International Airport with more than 170 passengers on board. Data from the aviation tracking website Flightradar24 shows the jet was about ten minutes into the flight, reaching 16,000 feet, with a ground speed of nearly 400 knots when the incident unfolded.
"During the flight, a sudden decompression occurred once the door detached, leading to an emergency landing. In video footage captured during the incident, the emergency exit can be seen torn off and oxygen masks deployed. There are no reports of serious injuries," aviation blog Airways Magazine wrote in a note.
Passengers recorded the shocking moment when the mid-aft door ripped off.
BREAKING: Alaska Airlines plane makes emergency landing in Portland, Oregon after window blows out in mid-air.
— BNO News (@BNONews) January 6, 2024
Several items, including phones, were sucked out of the plane when it suddenly depressurized. Everyone is safe. pic.twitter.com/BtOB1RU3tn
According to BBC News, Alaska Airlines said 65 of its 737 Max 9 aircraft were suspended after the incident for 'inspections.'
Boeing said it was briefed on the incident and was "working to gather more information."
The door incident came weeks after Boeing reported 737 Max jets had yet another quality control issue: "A possible loose bolt in the rudder control system."
Max jets have faced several major issues related to different parts and systems. The most notable defect was MCAS (Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System), which led to two separate crashes, killing a combined 346 people.
Several months ago, fuselage supplier Spirit was found to have improperly drilled holes in the aft pressure bulkhead.
We need to revisit internal communications from Boeing employees that pointed out Max jets were "designed by clowns who in turn are supervised by monkeys."
The latest incident of a door detaching mid-flight certainly does not instill confidence in this troubled aircraft.
