NTSB Hearing Uncovers Evidence in Alaska Airlines Door Plug Blowout

Newly released documents detail the harrowing experience on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 after the door plug blew out shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport on Jan. 5. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is running a two-day hearing to investigate the incident, which occurred on a Boeing 737 Max 9.

The documents, including interviews with the crew, paint a picture of confusion and fear. Flight attendants, strapped into their jump seats in the galley, were unaware of the exact nature of the problem and focused on getting their oxygen masks on.

The pilots faced extreme noise, making communication difficult. "I knew that there was something wrong," one pilot said. "I had no idea if it was a hole, if it was a window, if it was a main cabin door." Despite the chaos, the Alaska Airlines plane landed safely, and no serious injuries were reported.

However, the incident highlighted significant safety concerns, prompting the NTSB to hold the hearings. During the sessions, Boeing Commercial Airplanes senior executive Elizabeth Lund announced design changes to make the door plug more secure, with retrofits expected within a year.

An NTSB preliminary report found that four bolts, designed to prevent the door from falling off, were missing. Spirit AeroSystems employees had replaced damaged rivets on the edge frame forward of the plug in September 2023, requiring the removal of specific bolts. Photo evidence showed that the plug was closed without bolts in three locations. Lund stated that the paperwork authorizing the removal of the door plug has not been found.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy emphasized the importance of understanding what happened, saying, "This is not a PR campaign for Boeing. We want to know the safety improvements. This is an investigation on what happened on Jan. 5." She also addressed the culture between Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, referencing an unidentified Spirit employee who described their role disparagingly. 

Michael Riney, a customer relations director from Spirit AeroSystems, committed to discussing feedback with his managers to address these cultural issues, stating he would "personally follow up with them to understand what specifically I can do to help with that."