Explainer – How did the panel break that blew off Alaska Airlines flight?

Published

2 years ago

January 10, 2024

Ahron Young

Investigators are assessing a piece of fuselage that came off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 jet shortly after it took off from Portland, Oregon.

The missing panel is a plug that is installed on some 737 MAX 9s in place of an additional emergency exit.

As a result, regulators have grounded 171 planes so that airlines can conduct inspections of those crafts.

Some airlines have already discovered that the bolts used to secure the panel were loosened. Here is an explanation of that panel.

Alaska Airlines CEO ‘anxious’ for Boeing 737 MAX 10 deliveries …

What we know

As Alaska Air Flight 1282 reached just over 16,000 feet, the panel tore off from the side of the jet, leaving a rectangular hole the size of a refrigerator in the aircraft.

The door plug was discovered by a Portland school teacher who found it in his backyard.

It’s led to a major investigation, as other airlines began to ground the aircraft type.

Who makes this panel?

The fuselage for the Boeing 737 is manufactured by Spirit AeroSystems, a Kansas-based company that separated from Boeing in 2005.

Spirit is one of two suppliers that make the plug doors on the MAX 9, but Boeing also plays a critical role in the plug installation process.

Boeing has come under scrutiny in recent years over its manufacturing processes.

Why is this panel there?

The 737 MAX 9 is currently Boeing’s largest single-aisle aircraft, capable of seating up to 220 people.

It includes an optional extra door to allow for the approved number of evacuation paths whenever carriers choose to install the maximum number of seats.

Planes that do not opt for additional seating can replace that door with a panel, or plug.

Ukraine and Russia set for U.S.-brokered peace talks in Abu Dhabi

Published

4 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that new peace talks with Russia will take place in Abu Dhabi later this week. The discussions are part of U.S.-led efforts to find a path toward ending the ongoing war.

Zelenskyy emphasised that Ukraine is prepared for meaningful dialogue aimed at achieving peace. The announcement comes after weeks of uncertainty over the timing of the meeting.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff described prior discussions with Russian officials as productive, though major disagreements over territorial issues remain unresolved.

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News

Tensions rise as Iran threatens conflict and U.S. increases naval forces

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Published

6 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Iran warns of regional conflict, labels European armies terrorists; U.S. boosts naval presence as both sides consider negotiations.

Iran has warned of a potential regional conflict if the U.S. launches an attack, while labelling European armies as terrorists. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei insisted that threats from President Trump will not intimidate the Iranian people.

The U.S. has ramped up its naval presence in the Middle East in response to mounting threats, amid speculation over Iran’s next moves. Iranian officials have denied claims of imminent naval exercises in the Strait of Hormuz, adding to global uncertainty.

#MiddleEastCrisis #IranUS #Geopolitics #NavalTensions #Trump #AyatollahKhamenei #EuropeanUnion #GlobalConflict

News

Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest man to complete career Grand Slam

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Published

6 hours ago

February 2, 2026

Harvey Vargas

Carlos Alcaraz, at 22, stuns tennis by winning the Australian Open, defeating Djokovic, and celebrating with a kangaroo tattoo.

Carlos Alcaraz has stunned the tennis world by winning the Australian Open, becoming the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam at just 22 years old.

The world number one beat Novak Djokovic in a thrilling four-set match, finishing 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5. Djokovic missed out on claiming his 25th Grand Slam title. To mark the milestone, Alcaraz revealed he plans to add a new tattoo of a kangaroo on his leg, joining his existing Eiffel Tower and Wimbledon strawberry tattoos.

#CarlosAlcaraz #AustralianOpen #GrandSlam #TennisHistory #NovakDjokovic #SportsNews #TennisTattoo #YoungChampion