Passengers file new lawsuit over Alaska Air over door plug blowout

Alaska Air lawsuit lawsuit overview: 

• Who: A group of passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines flight that experienced a door plug blowout midflight filed a lawsuit against Alaska Airlines Inc., The Boeing Co. and Spirit Aerosystems Inc. 
• Why: The passengers argue Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems negligently manufactured defective airplanes and Alaska Airlines failed to adequately inspect and maintain the aircraft. 
• Where: The lawsuit was filed in King County Superior Court. 

A group of passengers aboard a Boeing 737 Max airplane last January when a door plug blew out midflight filed a lawsuit against Boeing, AIaska Airlines and airplane maker Spirit Aerosystems.

Late last year, after the passengers asked a Seattle federal judge to throw out a different class action, which only named Boeing as a defendant, so they could file a new complaint in state court that could potentially be heard by a jury, Law360 reports. 

The passengers argue they suffered physical and emotional injuries after a door plug blew out during the January 2024 Alaska Airlines flight’s initial ascent from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California. 

The lawsuit argues Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems negligently manufactured defective planes and Alaska Airlines failed to adequately and inspect the aircraft. 

“Defendant Alaska Air owed its passengers the duty to timely inspect and properly maintain the aircraft, particularly where notice of unusual or suspect conditions was received,” the Alaska Air lawsuit says. 

NTSB report finds door plug on Alaska Airlines flight was missing four bolts 

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board found the door plug blowout was the result of four missing bolts.

The lawsuit argues Alaska Airlines did not notice the bolts were missing due to the airline’s failure to assess and ensure the integrity and seal of the door plug via adequate inspections and maintenance prior to it separating from the Boeing 737 Max aircraft midflight. 

“Defendant Alaska Air owed its passengers the duty to protect them from harm resulting from the misconduct of others, when such conduct was known or could reasonably be foreseen and prevented by the exercise of the care required of a common carrier,” the Alaska Air lawsuit says. 

The passengers demand a jury trial and an award of special, general and punitive damages. 

A separate group of passengers aboard the same flight refiled a lawsuit against Alaska Airlines, Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems in June 2024 over the incident. 

Have you been physically and/or emotionally injured during an air travel event? Let us know in the comments.

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