Alaska Airlines Boeing Jetliner Grounded After Warning Light Indicates Pressurization Problem
Warning Light Prompts Restriction on Flights to Hawaii
Alaska Airlines has revealed that the Boeing passenger jetliner that lost its door plug mid-flight on Friday was not being used for flights to Hawaii. This decision was made after a warning light, which could indicate a pressurization problem, lit up on three separate trips. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy explained that the restriction was put in place so that the plane could quickly return to an airport if the warning light went off. However, Homendy also emphasized that there is currently no known connection between the pressurization light issue and the incident on Friday.
Door Plug Found in Portland Teacher’s Backyard
A Portland teacher discovered the door plug from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 in his backyard on Sunday. This finding adds to the ongoing investigation into the emergency landing that occurred when the plug flew off the aircraft at an altitude of 16,000 feet.
Chaotic Scene During Emergency Landing
During a press briefing, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy provided more details about the incident. She described a chaotic scene when the torn-off door plug created a gaping hole in the side of the plane. The cockpit door flew open, causing communication difficulties between the cockpit and the cabin. The flight crew also experienced the loss of headsets and important documents. Despite the chaos, the plane safely landed back at Portland International Airport, and no injuries were reported among the 171 passengers and six crew members.
Grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 Jetliners
Following the incident, all Boeing 737 MAX 9 jetliners used by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines were grounded. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) initiated inspections of each aircraft. Alaska Airlines had initially put 18 of its 65 737 MAX 9 planes back into service, but they were subsequently pulled back after receiving a notice from the FAA indicating that further work may be required. The grounding of these aircraft resulted in the cancellation of numerous flights over the weekend.
With Post wires
