Passengers aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, which suffered a terrifying mid-air door blowout in January, have received chilling letters from the FBI: they might be official crime victims in an ongoing probe. 🔎 The agency confirmed its criminal investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX 9 incident is advancing, though details remain under wraps.
Between Safety and Scrutiny
The January 5 emergency saw a \"door plug\" panel tear off mid-flight at 16,000 feet, leaving a gaping hole in the jet. While all 177 onboard survived, the National Transportation Safety Board later found four critical bolts missing – bolts Boeing admits were never properly documented. 😳
Boeing's Turbulent Timeline
This isn't Boeing's first rodeo. The Justice Department's probe follows its controversial 2021 deferred prosecution deal over two fatal 737 MAX 8 crashes (2018-2019), which families say sidelined their rights. Now, the FAA has grounded MAX 9s, frozen production hikes, and demanded a 90-day quality overhaul. ⚙️
What's Next?
Boeing claims it's cooperating \"transparently,\" while Alaska Airlines says it's not the investigation's target. For passengers? A waiting game – the FBI warns criminal cases can be \"lengthy.\" ✉️ Meanwhile, aviation regulators scramble to ensure safety as travelers side-eye Boeing's next move. 👀
