The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has faced a significant obstacle in its investigation into a mid-flight incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight earlier this year, due to Boeing’s erasure of crucial surveillance footage. In a detailed letter to the Senate Commerce Committee, NTSB Chairman Jennifer Homendy disclosed that the footage, which could have shed light on the reinstallation of a door plug before the in-flight blowout, was overwritten by Boeing.
The incident in question occurred on January 5th, when the door plug of Alaska Airlines flight 1282, a Boeing 737 Max 9, detached minutes after takeoff from Portland International Airport, creating a visible hole in the fuselage. Fortunately, the aircraft managed to make an emergency landing safely, and no serious injuries were reported.
Whole door flew off an Alaskan Airlines plane mid flight
Nightmare Fuel
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) January 6, 2024
Homendy’s letter emphasized the NTSB’s ongoing challenges in determining the identities of the Boeing employees responsible for the door plug work. Despite repeated requests for documentation and information from Boeing, the company has been unable to provide records of the work performed, citing that the footage was maintained on a rolling 30-day basis and had been overwritten as part of standard practice.
The investigation has been further complicated by the inability to interview the door crew manager from Boeing’s Renton, Washington facility, who has been on medical leave. Although Boeing has since provided a list of personnel reporting to the door crew manager, it failed to specify who conducted the specific door plug installation.
This lack of documentation and information has raised concerns about Boeing’s quality assurance processes and has sparked frustration among investigators and lawmakers alike. Homendy assured that the pursuit of employee names was not for punitive reasons but to understand the circumstances that led to the incident and improve safety protocols.
In response to the hearing and NTSB’s requests, Boeing stated it has been proactive and transparent in supporting the investigation. The company highlighted its cooperation, including the provision of names of employees with potentially relevant information and the full list of the 737 door team members.
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