PORTLAND, Ore. — The National Transportation Safety Board held a press conference Monday night to provide updates after another day of investigation into Alaska Air Flight 1282, which suffered a door plug failure shortly after takeoff from Portland on January 5. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy presented the latest information at the briefing, sharing key details about the ongoing investigation.
During the briefing, Homendy revealed that the pressurization warning system on the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 that lost a door plug had gone off three times within a month leading up to the incident, including the day before the accident. She also mentioned that the crew had reported the warning system going off each time, and that it had been tested and reset by maintenance personnel.
The NTSB press conference also shed light on Alaska Airlines’ decision to restrict the aircraft from long flights over water to ensure it could quickly return to an airport if the warning light reappeared. The investigative team provided insight into the steps taken by the airline as well as the details of the warning system’s performance leading up to the incident.
During the initial briefing on Saturday, Homendy urged the public to aid in the search for the door plug in the Cedar Hills neighborhood, an appeal that ultimately led to its discovery. Additionally, the briefing highlighted the fact that two cellphones linked to passengers on the flight had also been found.
NTSB officials also addressed the door plug that blew off at 16,000 feet shortly after takeoff, providing a comprehensive overview of the incident and the response from both Alaska Airlines and the NTSB. The investigation is ongoing, with a focus on determining the cause of the failure and managing potential safety concerns moving forward.
KOIN 6 News will continue to provide updates on the NTSB investigation as more information becomes available.