Alaska Airlines plane’s windshield cracks while landing in latest drama for a Boeing jet
The windshield of an Alaska Airlines plane cracked as it landed in Oregon, marking the latest issue involving a Boeing jet.
The flight originating from Washington DC was descending at Portland International Airport on Sunday when crew members observed a small crack on the inner windshield.
Alaska Airlines stated, "The crew followed their checklists, and the aircraft continued safely to its destination as scheduled." The airline clarified that its fleet of Boeing 737-800s is equipped with five layers of windscreens, comprising an outer pane, three inner layers, and an inner pane.
In the event of an inner pane cracking, the other layers can maintain cabin pressure, according to airline officials. There were no injuries reported among the 159 passengers and six crew members onboard, Alaska Airlines noted.
The aircraft will undergo inspection and repair by ground engineers.
However, this cracked windshield incident is the latest in a series of issues affecting Boeing planes over the past two months. This stretch began after a door plug on another Alaska Airlines flight unexpectedly detached mid-air, leading to an emergency landing.
Subsequently, the Federal Aviation Administration uncovered numerous issues related to Boeing's 737 MAX jet production process, including instances where mechanics at a major supplier used unconventional tools like hotel key cards and dish soap for compliance testing.
Boeing failed 33 out of 89 product audits, with a total of 97 alleged noncompliance instances, as reported by The New York Times. Boeing officials estimated that resolving these issues would take more than a year.
Notably, Boeing's other aircraft lines, such as the 737-800s, have also faced challenges. Just days before the cracked windshield incident, another 737-800 lost an external panel mid-flight.
The United Airlines flight landed safely at Rogue Valley International-Medford Airport in Oregon, with 139 passengers and 6 crew members onboard. Although there were no signs of trouble during the flight and no emergency declared, an external panel was discovered missing upon reaching the gate, prompting a runway safety check at the airport. Despite efforts to locate the panel on the airport grounds, it could not be found.
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