Blumenthal demands FAA publicly disclose probe results following Alaska Airlines 737 Max ‘near catastrophe’

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) on Tuesday penned a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requesting a thorough probe of the “near catastrophe” involving a Boeing 737 Max 9 flight Friday night and demanding full disclosure of the findings before the aircraft return to the sky.  

An Alaska Airlines flight from Portland, Ore., to Ontario, Calif., experienced an “explosive decompression” midflight Friday when a panel plugging an unused emergency exit door on the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft blew off just minutes after takeoff.

The harrowing incident left a gaping hole in the side of the aircraft, frightening passengers aboard. No serious injuries were reported and the flight made an emergency landing.

“I am deeply concerned by last Friday’s near catastrophe on board [the Alaska Airlines flight]. We need a full, thorough investigation and disclosure of findings. I commend the heroic actions of the pilots and flight attendants who delivered all of the plane’s passengers to safety in Portland,” Blumenthal wrote in the letter.

“I write to demand an answer on how this incident occurred and inquire about what more the FAA is doing to ensure our skies are safe,” he added.

The FAA ordered the temporary grounding of about 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft operated by U.S. airlines or in U.S. territory Saturday. Alaska Airlines briefly returned 18 of the planes to service Saturday before receiving notice from the FAA on Sunday that the aircraft may need additional work.

“The FAA is requiring immediate inspections of certain Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes before they can return to flight,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said in a statement. “Safety will continue to drive our decision-making as we assist the [National Transportation Safety Board’s] investigation into Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.”

Blumenthal, however, called the grounding of the aircraft “the least that should be done” and demanded answers to a list of questions by Jan. 23 that address previous reports of warning signs for these aircraft and the involvement of the FAA.

“This disturbing event is another black mark for Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft fleet and troublingly, appears to be part of a wider pattern. Since the mandatory inspections of Boeing’s 737 MAX 9 began, United Airlines found door plug installation issues, including loose bolts, on its planes. Alaska Airlines has identified additional similar issues,” he wrote.

“In light of these now repeated safety concerns, I seek your assurance that information will be made available publicly before these planes are returned to service.”

Blumenthal asked what steps the FAA will take to update safety procedures regarding the proper response to warning lights; he asked how many instances have been reported of the auto-pressurization fail light illuminating; he asked the FAA to describe ways it ensures compliance from aircraft manufacturers and their suppliers and what the response is when noncompliance is identified; and he asked what the FAA’s role in the inspection of the aircraft is, how many aircraft failed the recent inspection and what steps the FAA is taking to ensure the planes are properly repaired.