PORTLAND, Oregon – An aviation expert has expressed concern over the recent incident involving an Alaskan Airlines flight that had to be grounded after losing a door mid-flight. Dan Gryder, a certified Gold Seal flight instructor and the owner of a popular aviation YouTube page, speculated that the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) may have neglected proper oversight, potentially leading to a future aviation disaster.
The incident occurred on a Boeing 737-9 MAX during a flight from Portland, Oregon to Ontario, California. The flight had to make an emergency landing after the door blew out at 16,000 feet, causing the plane to depressurize. Thankfully, all 171 passengers and six crew members were unharmed.
Gryder voiced his concerns to his 100,000 subscribers on YouTube, where he criticized the FAA’s oversight of aircraft manufacturing. He suggested that the lack of proper inspection and supervision from the FAA could pose major safety risks in the aviation industry. Gryder also warned of a potential future aviation disaster if these issues are not addressed.
Alaska Airlines swiftly grounded their fleet of 737-9 MAX planes and canceled hundreds of flights as a precaution. The airline stated that they are awaiting documentation from Boeing and the FAA in order to conduct thorough inspections before returning the aircraft to service. The FAA reiterated that safety would determine when the planes can fly again.
In response, Boeing CEO David Calhoun emphasized the need for complete transparency in addressing the situation. The recent incident has raised concerns about the safety of the 737 MAX, which was previously grounded by the FAA in 2019 following two fatal crashes.
This latest incident serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of thorough oversight and safety measures in the aviation industry, as authorities continue to investigate the root cause of the door malfunction on the Alaskan Airlines flight.