DOJ opens investigation into Alaska Airlines incident of door panel blowing out midair, WSJ says [Video]

The Justice Department has started a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident where a door panel blew out mid-air two months ago, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday.

The newspaper, citing documents and people familiar with the matter, said investigators have contacted passengers, pilots and flight attendants on Flight 1282 on Jan. 5 heading to Ontario, California from Portland, Oregon, where a section of the plane ripped off midair, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing.

The investigation would help the DOJ its in review of whether Boeing complied with an previous settlement of a federal investigation into two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019, the Journal said.

“In an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation,” an Alaska Airlines spokesperson said. “We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.” 

The DOJ declined to comment. Boeing didn’t immediately respond to …