Following today's midair window blowout on flight from Portland, it has been reported that Alaska Airlines has decided to ground all Boeing 737-9 aircraft.
In a bizarre incident, an Alaska Airlines flight made was forced to make an emergency landing in Oregon on Friday after a window and chunk of its fuselage blew out in mid-air. The US broadcaster KATU-TV took on air an image showing a gaping hole in the side of the airplane next to passenger seats.
The airline said it was investigating what happened as immediately there was no clarity on injury or casualty.
Following today's midair window blowout on flight from Portland, it has been reported that Alaska Airlines has decided to ground all Boeing 737-9 aircraft.
According to the data on the flight tracking website FlightAware, the flight left Portland at 4:52 p.m. but returned just before 5:30 p.m.The flight reportedly rose as high as 16,000 feet (4,876 metres) before descending.
KPTV-TV reported photos sent in by a passenger showed a large section of the airplane's fuselage was missing.
According to online Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, the Boeing 737-9 MAX rolled off the assembly line and received its certification just two months ago.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said that it was investigating an event on the flight and would post updates when they are available.
“Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California, experienced an incident this evening soon after departure,” the company said in an emailed statement.
“The aircraft landed safely back at Portland International Airport with 174 guests and 6 crew members.”
The company said it would share more information when it became available.