Window Flies Away After takeoff, Alaska Airlines grounded its Boeing 737-9

Pictures posted on social media showed the plane's window shattered, and oxygen masks hanging from the plane's ceiling. The incident occurred on Friday evening.

An Alaska Airlines plane, with 177 people on board, was forced to make an emergency landing in Oregon (United States), on Friday evening, January 5. The company said passengers reported that the window panel flew off after take-off.

Flight 1282 took off from Portland International Airport around 5pm local time before returning safely “After the crew reported a pressure problem.”The FAA made the announcement on the social media network X (formerly Twitter). Pictures posted on social media showed the plane's window shattered, and oxygen masks hanging from the plane's ceiling.

One of the passengers on the plane, Kyle Rinker, explained to CNN that the window exploded immediately after take-off. “It was really brutal. Barely at altitude, the window shade came off and I didn't notice it until the oxygen masks fell off.”He said.

Alaska Airlines Boeing planes on the ground

The plane was finally able to land safely in Portland, about twenty minutes after take-off. The National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration and Alaska Airlines said they were investigating the incident.

After this incident, Alaska Airlines decided to ground its 65 Boeing 737-9 aircraft. “Each device will not be returned to service until comprehensive maintenance and safety checks have been completed.”Alaska Airlines President Ben Minicucci confirmed in a press release. This work should take a few days.