NTSB to Conduct Hearing on Boeing 737 Max 9 Door Plug Incident

The aircraft, operating as Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, had just taken off from Portland International Airport (KPDX) in Oregon, and as it passed through 16,000 feet, the door plug blew off, resulting in rapid decompression. All 177 people on board the aircraft survived, although eight were injured by the loss of pressure that resulted in loose objects and parts of the cabin interior being turned into projectiles.

Last week the NTSB displayed the door plug that departed the aircraft. The door has been the subject of scrutiny in the agency’s materials lab.

The NTSB’s preliminary investigation revealed that four restraining bolts designed to hold the door plug in place were missing during the last flight. On two previous occasions the flight crews had reported a pressurization warning light had activated in the cockpit. Both times the crew notified maintenance about the issue. The aircraft was removed from over-water flights and scheduled for maintenance at the end of the day on January 5.

Boeing did not respond to FLYING’s inquiries by press time, although the aerospace manufacturer has been subpoenaed to appear at the hearing.

In response to the accident, the company initiated changes in the workplace to enhance safety culture that included the removal of several highly placed company officials. In March Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would step down at the end of the year. At the end of July Boeing announced Robert “Kelly” Ortberg will be the new CEO.

As previously reported by FLYING, the NTSB sanctioned Boeing, suggesting it had released nonpublic information into the investigation.

Alaska Airlines is a party to the investigation and offered a statement to FLYING.

“We appreciate the importance of the investigative hearing being conducted by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 and the ‘in-flight mid-exit door plug Separation,” Alaska Airlines said in the statement.  “This hearing is part of the NTSB’s established investigation to obtain additional information necessary to determine the facts, circumstances, and probable cause of the accident. Our participating safety and technical representatives remain committed to cooperating with the NTSB."

The Alaska Airlines statement concludes that because this is an ongoing investigation, the company is limited in the details it can release.

"Safety is always our top priority at Alaska Airlines,” the company said. “We have full confidence in the safety of our operation and aircraft."