Passengers who endured the frightening mid-air door blowout incident on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 allege that staff ignored a ‘whistling sound’ raised by fellow travelers on a previous flight, according to attorney Mark Lindquist.
Representing 22 passengers in a class-action lawsuit against Boeing and Alaska Airlines, Lindquist claimed that warnings were conveyed to staff, who then informed the pilot.
However, no action was taken despite the passengers’ concerns about the door plug.
The lawsuit contends a series of failures, including missing bolts and malfunctioning oxygen masks, contributing to emotional and physical injuries.
Detailed Allegations and Emotional Toll
In an amendment this week, Lindquist heightened claims of emotional and physical injuries suffered by passengers during the harrowing incident.
Plaintiffs reported hearing loss, concussions, leg injuries, trauma, anxiety, and emotional distress.
The lawsuit also pointed out an emergency design flaw in the cockpit door, leading to intensified confusion and stress due to the unexpected opening during depressurization.
Preliminary Investigation Findings and Missing Bolts
A month after the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released a preliminary report detailing the incident.
The report emphasized missing bolts crucial to preventing vertical movement of the door plug, suggesting a potential oversight during assembly.
The door plug detachment led to the catastrophic mid-air explosion.
Pre-Existing Issues and Aviation Scrutiny
Further scrutiny revealed that the aircraft faced intermittent warnings a day before the incident, prompting its removal from extended range operations (ETOPS).
Despite being a relatively new Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet, entering service in November 2023, the aircraft had experienced warning lights and had undergone repairs.
Passenger Accounts and Terrifying Moments
Passengers shared terrifying accounts, with Emma Vu detailing the panic on TikTok. She described the sudden drop, masks deploying, and people screaming.
Vu expressed gratitude for fellow passengers and flight attendants. Investigations also revealed repair work records, indicating that Boeing workers may have failed to replace the four crucial bolts after repairing damaged rivets.
Accountability and Ongoing Investigations
Boeing CEO David Calhoun acknowledged accountability and emphasized the need for improvement in their processes. Spirit AeroSystems, the subcontractor involved, pledged continuous improvement in safety, quality, and reliability.
While the NTSB’s findings are preliminary, the legal battle and investigations underscore the gravity of the incident, prompting a reevaluation of safety measures within the aviation industry.
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