On January 5, U.S. time, a Boeing 737 MAX 9 passenger plane of Alaska Airlines made an emergency turnaround and landed shortly after takeoff because the emergency hatch fell off in the air. The accident has sparked global concern, with airlines from many countries announcing the grounding of the aircraft and the initiation of comprehensive safety inspections.
The aircraft involved was commissioned in November 2023 and was less than three months old at the time of the accident. It is reported that about 10 minutes after takeoff, the emergency hatch suddenly fell off, causing the crew to have to urgently turn back to Portland International Airport. Fortunately, neither the passengers nor the crew were injured.
Photographer: NTSB
Immediately upon receipt of the report, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered the grounding of 171 Boeing aircraft of the same type operating in the United States. This is a positive response to the safety hazards of this type of aircraft, and it is also to ensure flight safety.
At the same time, airlines around the world have announced the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 airliners and launched comprehensive safety checks. United Airlines, Aeromexico and Turkish Airlines, among others, have said they will suspend the use of the aircraft and conduct detailed inspections of existing aircraft. Copa Airlines said in an interview that it has suspended the operation of all Boeing 737 MAX 9 airliners and initiated a comprehensive safety check.
The accident has once again raised public concerns about the safety of the Boeing 737 MAX family of aircraft. Previously, the Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft had been grounded worldwide due to two deadly air crashes. It was only after investigations and refinements that the aircraft of this series were re-approved to fly. However, the occurrence of this accident undoubtedly once again raised questions about the safety of this series of aircraft.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun said in a statement that they would fully cooperate with the investigation and acknowledged the company's mistakes in the design and manufacture of the aircraft. He said the company will handle the accident fully and transparently to ensure flight safety.
According to reports, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stepped in to investigate the cause of the accident. The agency said it would conduct a full investigation into the cause of the accident and publish the results of the investigation. At the same time, aviation regulators around the world will also conduct comprehensive safety inspections of this type of aircraft to ensure flight safety.
The accident has sounded the alarm for the global aviation industry, and many countries** and airlines have stepped up their attention and investment in aviation safety. Industry experts say that aviation safety is an eternal theme that should not be taken lightly at any time. Only by comprehensively strengthening aviation safety management and improving the training level of pilots can we ensure flight safety and protect the lives and property of passengers.
In conclusion, the accident of the American Boeing 737 MAX 9 reminds us once again that aviation safety is of paramount importance. It is the responsibility of every airline and the best to strengthen aviation safety management and improve the safety performance of aircraft on a global scale. We hope that the relevant authorities can find out the cause of the accident as soon as possible and take effective measures to ensure flight safety and let passengers travel with peace of mind.