Gregory Travis on the Alaska 737 MAX 9 Door Plug Incident
On January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 suffered an uncontrolled decompression after a door plug blew out. This incident occurred on a two-month old Boeing 737 MAX 9.
Fortunately, no one was seated in the seat nearest the door plug and no one was killed. However, there were injuries.
This linked article by Greg Travis (pilot, aviation safety author, software engineer and FlyersRights board member) explains in detail the door plug that blew out. This incident could have resulted in many deaths and shows:
1. Why more quality control inspections are essential.
2. Why Boeing, which is under a Department of Justice deferred prosecution agreement for MAX safety criminal fraud, and its contractors and the FAA need close supervision by Congress.
3. Why Boeing cannot be trusted to manufacture safe MAX aircraft under its current management.
4. Why the 737 MAX 9 should not be allowed to fly over oceans without nearby emergency landings zones until at least two years of trouble free operation.
