NTSB Identifies Part That Failed on 737 Max 9

With the door plug recovered, the team is heading back to Washington, D.C.

Tuesday, January 09, 2024 at 05:00 PM ET

Verified

In wrapping up the Portland, Oregon, investigation, the National Transportation Safety Board identified what part failed but doesn’t know why. [Courtesy: NTSB]

Key Takeaways:

An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 experienced an explosive decompression mid-flight when a door plug detached, with the plug later found in a Portland backyard.
Preliminary NTSB findings indicate the door plug translated upward, disengaging its stop mechanisms, and investigators are examining fractured components and searching for missing stop bolts to determine the cause.
Though no serious injuries occurred, the incident prompted the grounding of the entire global 737 Max 9 fleet, impacting air travel, while the NTSB also investigates prior warnings regarding the aircraft's auto pressurization system.

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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is wrapping up its on-site investigation into the explosive decompression of a Boeing 737 Max 9 over Portland, Oregon.

On Monday, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy thanked the public and local law enforcement for helping find the door plug that flew off Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 shortly after takeoff from Runway 28L on Friday. The aircraft made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport (KPDX).