A terrifying incident unfolded during a recent Alaska Airlines flight as a section of the aircraft unexpectedly ruptured mid-flight - causing a young boy to lose his shirt.
As reported by Sky News, an Alaska Airlines flight turned into a nightmare as a section of the plane blew out mid-flight, reportedly sucking out passengers' belongings and prompting the pilot to make an emergency landing in Portland.
The Ontario, California-bound plane - which had 171 passengers and 6 crew members on board - departed Portland International Airport at 4:52PM on Friday but returned just 35 minutes later following the terrifying ordeal, according to data from flight tracking website Flight Aware.
Shortly after takeoff, the flight "experienced an incident," Alaska Airlines said in a statement, without providing further details.
Witnesses described the chaos as belongings, including cell phones, were sucked out of the gaping hole in the plane. One passenger recounted to KPTV that a child had to be held down in his seat, and the child sitting closest to the damaged part of the plane lost his shirt, with his skin reddened by the wind.
Images and videos subsequently shared to social media by those on board show the large hole in the side of the plane.
As the plane part blew off, oxygen masks were deployed and used by passengers as they awaited the emergency landing. Audio recordings of the flight's pilot were captured moments after the incident, with the captain urgently communicating with air traffic control.
"Portland approach, Alaska 1282 emergency! Aircraft is now leveling 12,000 in a left turn heading three four zero. We are emergency, we are depressurized, we do need to return back to, we have 177 passengers. Fuel is eighteen eight," the pilot relayed to air traffic control.
After landing, the fire department responded to the scene and treated minor injuries. One person was taken for further medical evaluations, according to the Port of Portland.
The Boeing 737-9 Max, recently built and obtaining its airworthiness certificate on October 25, 2023, according to FAA registry records, safely made an emergency landing at Portland Airport, confirmed by American Airlines and airport officials.
Alaska Airlines took swift action, temporarily grounding its entire fleet of the Boeing 737-9 late Friday.
Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci stated: "Following tonight’s event on Flight 1282, we have decided to take the precautionary step of temporarily grounding our fleet of 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. Each aircraft will be returned to service only after completion of full maintenance and safety inspections."
"We are working with Boeing and regulators to understand what occurred tonight, and will share updates as more information is available," Minicucci added.
Alaska Airlines assured the public that an investigation is underway, and further information will be released as it becomes available. Minicucci expressed empathy for those on the flight, saying, "My heart goes out to those who were on this flight – I am so sorry for what you experienced. I am so grateful for the response of our pilots and flight attendants."
According to Sky News, the Boeing 737-9 Max had been grounded for a year and a half after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people in Ethiopia and Indonesia.
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