On March 6, 2024, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 took off from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) in Los Angeles, California.
Daniel Slim | AFP | Getty Images
The Justice Department has opened a criminal investigation into the matter Alaska Airlines The door panel exploded in mid-air two months ago. “Wall Street Journal” reports Saturday.
Citing documents and people familiar with the matter, the newspaper said investigators have contacted passengers, pilots and flight attendants on Flight 1282 from Portland, Ore., to Ontario, Calif., on Jan. 5, part of which was in mid-air. It fell off, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing.
The Wall Street Journal said the investigation will help the Justice Department review whether Boeing has complied with previous settlements reached in federal investigations into two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019.
“It is normal in incidents like this for the Department of Justice to conduct an investigation,” an Alaska Airlines spokesman said. “We are cooperating fully and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.”
The U.S. Justice Department declined to comment. Boeing did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for comment.
The Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft flying in Alaska has resumed normal service after being grounded for inspection. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the two U.S. airlines that operate the Max 9, canceled thousands of flights in January following the incident.
Three passengers are suing Boeing and Alaska Airlines for $1 billion, accusing them of negligence for ignoring warnings.
Alaska Airlines earlier estimated that the weeks-long grounding of Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft would cost the airline $150 million.
— Read the original article from The Wall Street Journal here.
—CNBC’s Rebecca Picciotto contributed reporting.
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