Alaska Airlines Makes Emergency Landing in Portland Following Window Blowout During Takeoff
Alaska Airlines flight makes emergency landing in Portland after window shatters mid-air, causing panic among passengers
A passenger sent this picture from inside the aircraft after the landing on Friday.
Kyle Rinker
Officials stated that an Alaska Airlines flight had to make an emergency landing in Portland, Oregon on Friday evening due to a reported pressurization issue. A passenger on board claimed that the incident involved a window blowing out during the flight.
Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 made a safe return to Portland International Airport at approximately 5 p.m. PT after the crew reported a pressurization issue, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
The Portland International Airport also verified that an emergency landing took place. Alaska Airlines acknowledged the incident that occurred on Flight 1282, which was en route from Portland to Ontario, California.
The airline reported that the aircraft safely returned to Portland International Airport with 171 passengers and six crew members. "We are currently investigating the incident and will provide more details as they become available."
FlightAware stated that the flight was in the air for approximately 20 minutes. The plane took off from Portland International Airport at 5:07 p.m. local time and landed at 5:27 p.m.
Shortly after takeoff, Kyle Rinker, a passenger on the flight, told CNN that a window suddenly popped off. "It was incredibly sudden. We had just reached altitude when the window/wall unexpectedly popped off, and we didn't even realize until the oxygen masks were deployed," Rinker said.
The 737 Max 9 aircraft was granted its airworthiness certificate by the FAA on October 25, 2023. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board have stated that they will conduct an investigation into the incident.
In a statement to CNN, Boeing said it was aware of an incident involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 and was working to gather additional information.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
