The National Transportation Safety Board has pointed fingers at both Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding the door plug blowout incident aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. This alarming event occurred on January 5, 2024, shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport, resulting in an emergency landing and minor injuries to eight passengers.

The investigation unveiled that four bolts designed to secure the door plug were missing, a critical oversight that led to the incident. During a meeting, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy stated:

“An accident like this only happens when there are multiple system failures.”

Translation: “An accident like this only happens when there are multiple system failures.”

She emphasized that these safety deficiencies were preventable and should have been apparent. The board criticized Boeing for inadequate training and oversight of manufacturing personnel, contributing to the low compliance with the company’s safety processes. In contrast, the FAA faced criticism for ineffective enforcement of compliance and audit planning.

In response to these findings, the FAA pledged to enhance its oversight of Boeing, with both companies reviewing the full report to implement necessary changes. Recommendations to the FAA include revising enforcement systems and maintaining more comprehensive historical records of compliance and audits.

Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Incident

Image credit: National Transportation Safety Board