Alaska Airlines flight returns due to mechanical issue shortly after takeoff

An Alaska Airlines flight from California to Washington State was forced to return to San Jose on Christmas Day due to a mechanical issue identified shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 737-900, registered as N309AS, departed from Mineta International Airport for Seattle-Tacoma International Airport but had to turn back around ten minutes into the flight.

According to Flightradar24 data, the aircraft completed one loop over San Jose before heading north. It reached an altitude of 14,700 feet before leveling out over Pleasanton and turning back towards San Jose. The plane landed safely at approximately 10:50 local time.

Local news outlet KRON 4 reported that the aircraft returned due to a mechanical issue. A spokesperson for San Jose Mineta International Airport confirmed they were notified about the returning plane and had placed operations and fire services on standby as a precaution.