Passengers of Alaska Airlines flight 1282 may be victims of a crime, according to the FBI.
Boeing's reputation is at stake following the incident, with authorities closely monitoring its production methods.
Airline CEOs will also reportedly meet with Boeing's board of directors.
Another layer has been added to the evolving saga of the Alaska Airlines midair blowout incident in January, with the FBI telling the flight’s passengers that they could be victims of a crime. Boeing is facing increased scrutiny following the incident, with all relevant authorities investigating the January incident and Boeing’s aircraft production issues.

Possible crime victims
While Boeing and Alaska Airlines have been in the headlines over the January incident of flight 1282, the focus is now also shifting towards the passengers of the flight, in a development that does not bode well for Boeing.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 (N916AK) landing at Los Angeles International Airport.
Photo: Michael Gordon | Shutterstock
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched an investigation into the January incident and has communicated with the passengers of the flight, telling them that they may be victims of a crime. The Seattle Times quotes from a letter sent by a victim support specialist at the FBI’s Seattle office to one of the passengers,

“As a Victim Specialist with the Seattle Division, I’m contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime. This case is currently under investigation by the FBI. A criminal investigation can be a lengthy undertaking, and for several reasons, we cannot tell you about its progress at this time.”

Several witnesses, including the pilot and other crew members, are believed to have been interviewed by the Justice Department, and an attorney representing some of the passengers on the flight thinks that the agency could interview the travelers onboard the flight.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 flying
Photo: The Global Guy | Shutterstock
All eyes on Boeing
Boeing’s reputation has taken a severe hit in the last few months. With reports of other airlines also finding loose bolts on their 737 MAX aircraft, the plane maker’s production methods and SOPs are now under observation from relevant authorities.

Boeing’s legal troubles could increase even further after it was reported that the US Justice Department was examining whether it failed to comply with an earlier agreement signed after the two 737 MAX crashes of Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines.

Boeing 737 MAX
Photo: Marco Menezes | Shutterstock
Boeing had signed the $2.5 billion settlement after the two fatal 737 MAX crashes, and its terms and conditions had it adopt a compliance program that would prevent it from deceiving regulators. The Alaska Airlines incident occurred on January 5th, just two days before the expiration date of the deferred-prosecution agreement.

If it is found that Boeing violated that agreement in the way it handled the Alaska incident, there could be criminal charges against the organization.

Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 Air to air photoshoot
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Boeing told Simple Flying that it does not suggest Alaska Airlines is at fault.
Airlines unhappy
The discussion around the production flaws and all the recent directives issued regarding the plane also has airlines worried. Several carriers are betting their future on timely deliveries of the 737 MAX aircraft, which they expect to be manufactured without any structural flaws.

A United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX on an airport apron.
Photo: MKPhoto12 | Shutterstock
In the immediate aftermath of the Alaska Airlines blowout incident, several carriers had to ground their MAX 9 planes for inspections, costing them money due to flight cancelations and delays. It has also been reported that airline CEOs will now meet with Boeing’s board of directors, without the presence of its CEO, David Calhoun. It remains to be seen what the outcome of the meeting will be.