Three passengers are suing Boeing and Alaska Airlines for $1 billion in damages after a door panel was blown off mid-air on a plane.
The lawsuit, announced Feb. 23, accuses Boeing and Alaska Airlines of ignoring warning signs that could have prevented the Jan. 5 accident in which the plane's pilots were forced to make an emergency landing. He is accused of negligence.
“This experience put the lives of 174 passengers and six crew members at risk,” the release announcing the lawsuit states. “For these reasons, this lawsuit seeks substantial punitive damages for a preventable event.”
The lawsuit also seeks damages on behalf of other passengers who may have been on board the Boeing 737 Max 9, which was grounded by the Federal Aviation Administration following the incident.
This lawsuit is unrelated to a separate class action lawsuit filed in January shortly after the incident.
Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have resumed regular service. But both airlines have indicated they are reconsidering whether to order additional Max aircraft from Boeing, including its successor, the Max 10.
The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board continue to investigate Boeing over the January explosion.
Boeing declined to comment. Alaska said it does not comment on pending litigation or ongoing NTSB investigations.
