Witnesses tell a federal safety board about the blowout on a Boeing 737 Max earlier this year [Video]

Investigators are questioning Boeing officials in hearings this week about the midflight blowout of a panel from a 737 Max, an accident that further tarnished the company’s safety reputation and left it facing new legal jeopardy.

The National Transportation Safety Board’s two-day hearing, which began Tuesday morning, could provide new insight into the Jan. 5 accident that caused a loud boom and left a gaping hole in the side of the Alaska Airlines jet.

“This was quite traumatic to the crew and passengers,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said as the hearing began Tuesday, speaking to anyone who may have been on the flight or knew someone aboard. “We are so sorry for all that you experienced during this very traumatic event.”

The NTSB said in a preliminary reportthat four bolts that help secure the panel, which is call a door plug, were not replaced after a repair job in a Boeing factory, but the company has said the work was not documented. During the hearing, …