The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that the Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into the incident involving Alaska Airlines, where a door panel blew out mid-air two months ago.
According to the newspaper, investigators have reached out to passengers, pilots, and flight attendants who were aboard Flight 1282 on January 5, traveling from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California. During the flight, a section of the aircraft ripped off midair, prompting an emergency landing.
The investigation aims to assist the DOJ in reviewing whether Boeing complied with a previous settlement following a federal investigation into two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Alaska Airlines responded to the news, stating, “In an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.”
The DOJ and Boeing refrained from providing comments immediately.
Following inspections, Boeing 737 Max 9 planes operated by Alaska have resumed their regular service after being grounded. However, Alaska and United Airlines, the two U.S. carriers operating the Max 9, canceled numerous flights in January after the incident occurred.
Three passengers have filed a lawsuit against Boeing and Alaska Airlines, seeking $1 billion in damages. They accuse both companies of negligence, alleging they ignored warning signs.
Alaska Airlines had earlier estimated that the weeks-long grounding of the Boeing 737 Max 9 would cost the carrier $150 million.
