The Justice Department Begins Criminal Investigation Into Alaska Airlines Incident

Recently, The Wall Street Journal reported that the Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident that occurred two months ago. The incident involved a door panel blowing out mid-air while Flight 1282 was en route to Ontario, California from Portland, Oregon. This event led to a section of the plane ripping off midair, necessitating an emergency landing.

The investigation is crucial for the Justice Department’s review of whether Boeing complied with a previous settlement related to a federal investigation into two fatal crashes of the 737 Max in 2018 and 2019. According to sources cited by the Journal, investigators have reached out to passengers, pilots, and flight attendants who were on board Flight 1282 during the incident.

While Alaska Airlines has been fully cooperating with the investigation, Boeing has not provided an immediate response to requests for comments from media outlets. The DOJ has remained silent on the matter, leaving many questions unanswered.

In the aftermath of the incident, Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the only two carriers in the U.S. operating the Max 9, had to cancel thousands of flights in January. Alaska Airlines also estimated that the grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 would cost the company $150 million, underlining the significant financial toll of the incident.

To make matters worse, three passengers have decided to sue Boeing and Alaska Airlines for a staggering $1 billion in damages. The plaintiffs allege that both companies were negligent in addressing warning signs that could have prevented the incident from occurring in the first place. This legal action adds another layer of complexity to an already convoluted situation.

The Alaska Airlines incident has far-reaching implications beyond the immediate safety concerns raised by the door panel blowing out mid-air. The Justice Department’s criminal investigation, Boeing’s potential compliance issues, the financial impact on the airlines, and the lawsuits filed by passengers all contribute to a complex and worrisome situation. Only time will tell how this saga unfolds and what consequences it will have for the aviation industry as a whole.