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One year after the door blowout incident on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, public opinion about the aircraft remains divided. The event occurred on January 5, 2024, during Flight 1282 from Portland International Airport to Ontario International Airport. A door plug blew out on the aircraft, which was just two months old at that time. All 171 passengers and six crew members survived.
The incident has prompted increased scrutiny from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA has implemented measures such as capping production levels of the 737 MAX, increasing factory inspections, auditing production lines, and requiring a comprehensive safety and quality control plan from Boeing. FAA chief Mike Whitaker stated that this oversight is "not a one-year project."
Despite these measures and Boeing's efforts to assure safety, public opinion remains mixed. According to Komo News, many travelers are still willing to fly on the 737 MAX 9. Brian Jones expressed confidence in Boeing's commitment to safety: "I think it’s very beneficial for the public at large because they’re such a huge company." John Wilson also felt safer after the incident: "I feel like it’s probably more safe now." However, Lauren Waters remained cautious: "I’m still a bit nervous that something bad could happen."
