The Boeing 737 Max 9 that had an inflight blowout was restricted from flights to Hawaii because of a warning light that indicated a possible pressurization problem.
Alaska Airlines decided to keep the plane from flying over water in case it needed to quickly return to an airport, according to National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy.
The big picture: The cause of the blowout – which occurred in the air three miles over Oregon – is still under investigation.
- The blowout caused damage to seats, insulation, and the cockpit door. Two cell phones belonging to passengers were found on the ground.
- Homendy said Sunday that the pressurization light might have been unrelated to the blowout.
- The FAA grounded 171 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes, which are flown by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, after the incident.
- Alaska Airlines had to cancel 20% of its flights, and United Airlines canceled 8% of its scheduled flights.
