An Alaska Airlines pilot is suing Boeing, alleging a shift in liability in the door-blow case
‘Barron’s Roundtable’ panelists Jack Hough, Elizabeth O’Brien and Andrew Bary break down three topics investors should keep in mind.
An Alaska Airlines pilot who was credited with landing the plane safely after an air panel blew out is reportedly suing Boeing, saying the plane’s manufacturer tried to blame him for the incident.
Captain Brandon Fisher opened the case on Dec. 30 in Oregon, seeking $10 million in damages. The complaint alleges that Boeing tried to make Fisher a “scapegoat” behind the emergency.
The case stems from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, a Boeing 737 Max 9 that was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5, 2024, when a cabin door plug exploded mid-flight.
All 177 people on board survived.
NTSB BLAMES BOEING, FAA IN ALASKA AIRLINES CRASH APPROVAL
A plastic sheet covers the area of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 outside the hangar at Portland International Airport on Jan. 8, 2024 in Portland, Oregon. (Photo by Mathieu Lewis-Rolland/Getty Images)
In June, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that “multiple system failures” by Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) led to the incident.
Fisher’s lawsuit alleges that Boeing denied liability while defending the class-action lawsuit, saying its products were “improperly maintained or misused by persons and/or entities other than Boeing.”
“Boeing knew this statement was false at the time it was made, but made it as part of its often used post-accident strategy of blaming pilots for incidents caused solely by their own actions,” the lawsuit said. “It was clear that Boeing’s words were directed at Captain Fisher trying to paint him as the scapegoat for Boeing’s repeated failures.”
| A ticker | Security | Finally | Change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ALK | Company ALASKA AIR GROUP INC. | 49.80 | -0.93 |
-1.83% |
As a result, Fisher suffered emotional distress, adding that Boeing’s words “greatly increased the life-altering effects” of the incident on the pilot, the lawsuit said.
ALASKA AIRLINES’ BIBLIOGRAPHY MANAGED ACCIDENTS AHEAD OF DEPLOYED SAFETY INVESTIGATION: REPORT
A door panel on a Boeing 737-9 MAX exploded mid-flight after Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 took off from Portland International Airport on Jan. 5, 2024. (NTSB/Fox News)
In August, four employees of the same plane filed separate lawsuits against Boeing, alleging physical and emotional harm, Reuters reported.
Aviation officials and Boeing executives have praised the crew of Flight 1282 for their handling of the emergency.
A Boeing spokesperson told FOX Business that the company continues to implement a “comprehensive safety and quality program,” developed through employee feedback and regulatory oversight.
“Over the past two years, we’ve looked at every aspect of our manufacturing operation,” the spokesperson said. “We have implemented a comprehensive plan to strengthen Boeing’s safety management, quality assurance and safety culture – and we are seeing the benefits of these actions.”
PASSENGERS FILING HUGE LAWSUIT WITH ALASKA AIRLINES AND BOEING AFTER MIDFLIGHT DOOR PLUG FAILURE
Investigators examining the door plug that blew off an Alaska Airlines flight on Jan. 5, 2024. (NTSB/Fox News)
Alaska Airlines told FOX Business it had no comment on the lawsuit but praised the crew of Flight 1282 for their “bravery and quick thinking” in keeping everyone aboard safe.
GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HERE
Fisher’s attorneys, William Walsh and Richard Mummolo, did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment.
FOX Business’ Bonny Chu contributed to this report.
