A Boeing passenger plane that lost its door plug mid-flight Friday was not used for the flight to Hawaii after warning lights that could indicate a pressurization problem came on on three separate trips, federal officials revealed Sunday.
National Transportation Safety Board Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said Alaska Airlines limited the plane from long flights over water so the plane “can quickly return to the airport” if the warning lights go out.
But he also warned there was no known link so far between the pressure light and Friday’s near-disaster when a plug covering an unused exit door flew off a Boeing 737 MAX 9 as it traveled 16,000 feet in the air.
The door plug was found by a Portland teacher in her backyard on Sunday.
The Boeing plane was not used for the flight to Hawaii after warning lights that may indicate a pressure problem came on on three separate trips, federal officials revealed Sunday. Instagram/@strawberrvy via REUTE
The pressure light problem was revealed when Homendy provided more details about the NTSB’s investigation into the Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California flight during a press briefing.
The seat depicts the chaos when a dislodged door plug left a gaping hole in the side of the plane.
The open cockpit door caused the co-pilot to lose their headset and the captain to lose part of his headset — making communication between the cockpit and cabin nearly impossible. Quick reference checklists also fly, he says.
All Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft used by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have been grounded following the incident. AP
“It was described as chaos, very loud between the air and everything that was going on around them and it was very violent when the decompression was rapid and the doors were removed from the plane,” said Homendy.
The plane landed safely back at Portland International Airport after diverting back to the airport shortly after takeoff. Miraculously, none of the 171 passengers and six crew members were injured.
Homendy called the flight crew’s actions “extraordinary” and “heroic.”
The seat depicts the chaos when a dislodged door plug left a gaping hole in the side of the plane. AP
All Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes used by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have been grounded in the wake of the incident as the Federal Aviation Administration begins inspections of each. Both airlines are the only ones using Boeing’s MAX 9.
Although 18 of the 65 737 MAX 9 planes used by Alaska Airlines were put back into service Saturday, they were again withdrawn Sunday after the company received notice from the FAA that more work may be needed on the 18 planes.
Hundreds of flights were canceled over the weekend as a result.
With Postal wire
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
