NTSB Shares 600 Pages Full Report on Alaska Airlines Door Malfunction

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has published over 600 pages detailing its investigation into an alarming incident involving an Alaska Airlines plane in January.

During the flight over Portland, Oregon, a door plug detached and flew off the aircraft when it reached 16,000 feet in altitude. The extensive document is now available to the public on the NTSB website, shedding light on the causes, consequences, and testimonies surrounding the event.

Key insights from the release include transcripts from investigative hearings held in August, where Boeing executives were questioned on the sequence of failures that led to the door plug detachment.

Testimonies also came from representatives of Spirit Aero Systems, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and other involved parties, who discussed the mechanics and installation of door components.

The records indicate that when secured correctly, bolts are designed to hold the door plug in place, preventing it from dislodging during cabin pressurization shifts at high altitudes. However, in this case, the bolts failed, leading to the dangerous malfunction mid-flight.

In addition to executive testimonies, the documents feature interviews with crew members and technical specialists, as well as Boeing’s own part installation plans, offering a comprehensive look at both the technical and human factors involved.

Since the incident, some individuals have pursued legal action against Boeing and Alaska Airlines, claiming the ordeal caused them physical and emotional trauma.

Following the event, the FAA implemented a temporary grounding of all 737 Max 9 aircraft to carry out thorough inspections, ensuring no similar risks existed.

The fleet has since resumed operations, but the incident has underscored the importance of stringent safety and inspection standards in aviation. For full information on the investigation and testimonies, the complete document is accessible on the NTSB’s official website.