Seven passengers have taken legal action against Alaska Airlines and Boeing following an alarming incident aboard an Alaska Airlines flight, where a door-sized panel detached mid-flight, leading to rapid cabin decompression. The incident, which unfolded in January, has resulted in significant legal and investigatory repercussions for both the airline and the aircraft manufacturer.

The episode saw immediate danger to the passengers, notably Cuong Tran, who was seated close to the door plug that came loose, nearly being ejected from the aircraft. The resulting emergency has sparked various lawsuits, with the plaintiffs suffering from injuries and trauma. Notably, the account of a child losing his clothing due to the decompression has been highlighted within the legal complaints. Additionally, allegations have surfaced regarding the malfunctioning of oxygen masks, further contributing to the ordeal faced by the passengers.

In the wake of the incident, the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation, focusing on the apparent absence of bolts from the door plug and delving into the maintenance history of the involved aircraft. As a part of the fallout, a high-ranking executive from Boeing’s 737 Max program was dismissed.

The incident has culminated in a criminal investigation led by the US Justice Department, alongside operational measures such as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grounding some Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. These developments mark a continuation of the scrutiny Boeing faces, particularly in light of previous issues with its 737 Max 8 jets, further compounding the legal and regulatory challenges confronting the aerospace manufacturer and Alaska Airlines.