'Keep your seatbelt fastened': Internet shocked as Boeing 737 Max's window blows off mid-flight

PORTLAND, OREGON: What began as a routine takeoff turned into a mid-air emergency for Alaska Airlines flight 1282 on Friday evening, January 6, when a window blew out of the brand new Boeing 737 Max at 16,000 feet.

The dramatic incident captured the attention of the aviation world and renewed concerns about the safety of the once-grounded Boeing jetliner, as reported by Daily Mail.

Window 26A blows out completely at 16,000 feet on Alaska Airlines flight 1282

A loud boom rocked through the passenger cabin only minutes after the flight departed Portland International Airport, bound for Ontario, California. Passengers later reported it sounded like a gunshot or explosion.

“It sounded like your ears were popping like normally on a plane, but 10 times louder. I couldn't believe it was real,” 20-year-old passenger Elizabeth told Oregon Live.

The source of the noise turned out to be window 26A blowing completely out of the fuselage. The window is actually a deactivated emergency exit door that Alaska Airlines had opted to use as a window instead. Boeing delivered the custom configuration at the airline's request.

The explosive depressurization ripped the shirt off a young boy and sucked multiple passenger phones out into the open sky. Miraculously, no injuries were reported among the 177 people on board.

After a brief moment of shock, the cabin depressurized rapidly, becoming “deathly silent” as oxygen masks dropped from overhead, passengers said. The pilot radioed air traffic control to declare an emergency before turning the plane around to land back in Portland about 40 minutes later.

Boeing 737-9 MAX used for Alaska Airlines flight entered service in November 2023

The Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft involved had only entered service in November 2023, making the emergency a concerning situation for both Alaska Airlines and Boeing.

The plane manufacturer has faced harsh scrutiny over the 737 Max family since two deadly crashes in 2018 and 2019. The crashes were ultimately tied to faulty software and insufficient pilot training, prompting the longest grounding in commercial aviation history.

Boeing has worked extensively since 2020 to update the planes and convince regulators and the public they are safe. Friday’s incident put that progress in jeopardy, raising questions about whether a flawed design or manufacturing issue could be to blame this time.

The National Transportation Safety Board quickly launched an investigation into the emergency exit failure. The Federal Aviation Administration said it will review the NTSB’s findings to determine if any changes are needed around the 737 Max or Alaska Airlines’ operations.

Boeing also initiated its own probe, saying a technical team “stands ready to support the investigation." Alaska Airlines similarly pledged to share more details as its own review unfolds.

Internet erupts with flurry of reactions to alarming incident on Alaska Airlines flight

Following the alarming incident on the Alaska Airlines flight, social media lit up with a flurry of reactions echoing concerns and fears about the safety of air travel.

One Facebook user emphasized the importance of seat belts, stating, "If you ever wondered why you should keep your seat belt fastened and only leave your seat when you REALLY have to use the bathroom, this is why!"

Another user conveyed their intense fear, commenting, "This would scare the hell out of me!!" Reflecting on personal preferences, a third individual shared, "This is why I don’t like flying. You will never get me in a plane."

Expressing skepticism about the Boeing 737 Max series, another user described them as a "ticking time bomb." Stronger sentiments emerged with a plea to "scrap the 737 Max’s; they’re a death trap."

Amidst the shock and concern, a succinct yet powerful reaction encapsulated the gravity of the situation: "Ohhhh my God!!!"

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.