The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in the United States announced the recovery of a crucial component from the Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet, involved in an Alaska Airlines emergency landing, from a suburban backyard.
The part, a plug door, was integral to the incident that occurred on a flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California. After its detachment from the aircraft, the plane experienced depressurization, prompting the pilots to return and land safely with all 171 passengers and six crew members unharmed.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded by grounding 171 Boeing MAX 9 jets fitted with the same type of panel, which is approximately 60 pounds and acts as a cover for an optional exit door.
The plug door was found in the Cedar Hills neighborhood by a school teacher, only identified as “Bob,” leading to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy expressing relief at its discovery.
Homendy emphasized the importance of this part in understanding the cause of the accident, stating that the investigation team will closely examine all aspects of the door.
The loss of the plug door was so forceful that it blew open the cockpit door mid-flight, an incident Homendy described as “terrifying.” The recovery of this key component is expected to provide significant insights into the emergency landing incident.