Passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max flight that experienced a door-plug panel loss midflight have been notified by the FBI that they may be victims of a crime. The incident occurred on January 5 when the plane was flying over Oregon at 16,000 feet, resulting in a sudden loss of cabin pressure and the deployment of oxygen masks.
The FBI's victim specialist from the Seattle office sent letters to passengers, stating that the case is currently under investigation. It was discovered that four bolts securing the panel were missing after maintenance work at a Boeing factory in Renton, Washington.
The pilots managed to safely land the aircraft in Portland, Oregon, with no serious injuries reported among the 171 passengers and six crew members on board. This incident has raised concerns as it follows a 2021 settlement between Boeing and the U.S. Justice Department related to the certification of the 737 Max aircraft.
Following the settlement, a criminal investigation has been initiated to determine if the panel blowout violated the terms of the agreement. The Justice Department, along with the National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration, are conducting separate investigations into the matter.
Passengers who received the FBI letter were provided with contact information to address any questions or concerns they may have. The FBI emphasized that due to the nature of criminal investigations, details about the progress of the case cannot be disclosed at this time.
While Boeing declined to comment on the situation, Alaska Airlines stated that they are cooperating fully with the investigation and do not believe they are a target. The incident has sparked further scrutiny into the safety and maintenance practices of Boeing aircraft.
