AS1282 - Door Plug Failure Causes Decompression

Alaska Airlines flight 1282 departed Portland International Airport (PDX) at 5:06 p.m. local time on 5 January 2024 en route to Ontario International Airport (ONT) in California. While climbing through approximately 14 830 feet about six minutes after takeoff, the left mid‑cabin door plug blew out of the fuselage, creating a cabin wall opening and causing rapid depressurization. The flight crew donned oxygen masks, declared an emergency and initiated an immediate descent while returning to Portland. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 (registration N704AL) landed safely back at PDX at 5:27 p.m. with 171 passengers and six crew members on board. Seven passengers and one flight attendant received minor injuries; the remaining 164 passengers and five crew were uninjured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) launched investigation DCA24MA063 and later issued urgent recommendations regarding inspection of door plug installations on MAX 9 aircraft.