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.

SpaceX IPO could make Elon Musk’s Mars dream a trillion-dollar reality

SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.

Published

18 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

SpaceX’s upcoming IPO could raise $25 billion and value the company over $1 trillion, igniting investor excitement for Mars missions.

Investors are buzzing as SpaceX gears up for a potential IPO, aiming to raise more than $25 billion, possibly as soon as June. The offering could value the company at over $1 trillion, fueling Musk’s ambitious plans for Mars and beyond.

Despite the high-risk nature of space ventures, demand from retail investors is expected to be strong. Experts predict this IPO could become historic, with the company’s market value potentially soaring past $2 trillion once it launches.

Musk’s unconventional management style hasn’t slowed investor enthusiasm, even amidst regulatory hurdles. The funds raised could also support groundbreaking innovations, including energy-efficient space data centers.

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#SpaceX #ElonMusk #IPO #MarsMission #Investing #StockMarket #TrillionDollar #SpaceTech

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Russia shoots down 280+ Ukrainian drones as Zelenskyy pushes new peace plan

Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.

Published

18 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Russia claims 280 Ukrainian drones shot down; Zelenskyy finalizes a new peace proposal amid rising tensions and military clashes.

Russia’s Defence Ministry claims it has shot down over 280 Ukrainian drones, with 40 intercepted near Moscow, some targeting the city directly. Emergency services responded to debris, and temporary flight restrictions were enforced at Moscow’s airports amid the attacks.

Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy revealed his team is finalizing a revised 20-point peace proposal, introducing new ideas on territorial control. Ukrainian and American officials are set to consult online, focusing on security guarantees rather than the detailed points of the plan.

As tensions rise, both military clashes and diplomatic efforts continue to shape the future of the conflict. Keep up with the latest updates and expert analysis on these unfolding events.

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#UkraineConflict #RussiaUkraine #Zelenskyy #DroneAttack #PeacePlan #Moscow #WorldNews #TickerUpdates

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Disney invests $1B in OpenAI to generate Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar videos

Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.

Published

18 hours ago

December 12, 2025

Harvey Vargas

Disney invests $1 billion in OpenAI for AI-generated videos featuring iconic characters, enhancing fan interactions and launching in 2026.

Disney is taking AI to the next level, investing $1 billion in OpenAI to create a licensing deal that allows users to generate videos featuring more than 200 characters from Disney, Marvel, Star Wars, and Pixar. This partnership could redefine how fans interact with their favorite characters.

The deal will let users stream short AI-generated videos directly on Disney+, and ChatGPT will also produce images of Disney’s licensed characters. However, the agreement excludes talent likenesses or voices, keeping human performances separate.

Set to launch in 2026, the collaboration also gives Disney warrants to purchase additional OpenAI equity and use AI tools for product development, opening doors to new creative opportunities.

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