US Justice Department Opens Criminal Investigation into Alaska Airlines Incident
Wall Street Journal Reports DOJ Criminal Investigation on Boeing 737 MAX Incident
According to documents and sources familiar with the matter, the U.S. Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into the January blowout incident on an Alaska Airlines flight involving a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The investigation is centered around whether Boeing complied with a previous settlement after two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019.
Passengers and Crew Contacted by Investigators on Oregon Flight
The DOJ investigators have reached out to passengers and crew members from the flight that had to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon, when a fuselage panel tore off midair on January 5th. The probe aims to delve deeper into the circumstances surrounding the incident and its potential relation to Boeing’s compliance with safety regulations.
Alaska Airlines Incident Sparks FAA Grounding Order
Following the incident, which led to the door plug panel detaching shortly after takeoff, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the temporary grounding of 171 narrowbody MAX 9 jets with a similar configuration. Pilots managed to land the aircraft safely, averting a potential disaster.
Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and DOJ Yet to Respond to Queries
Despite requests for comments, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and the U.S. Department of Justice have not offered any immediate responses to inquiries regarding the ongoing investigation. The seriousness of the situation highlights the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols in the aviation industry, given the potential risks involved.
