Alaska Airlines passengers file lawsuit against Boeing after mid-air door blowout

The incident involved a part of the plane breaking off while flying from Portland to Ontario, California. The Boeing was carrying 174 passengers and six crew members. The door plug, usually sealed off, separated from the plane midair, causing a loud noise and letting in freezing winds. The cockpit door opened, hitting a bathroom door. Later, the door plug was found in a teacher's backyard.

According to the lawsuit, some passengers were physically hurt, and almost everyone on the plane was emotionally distressed. The event caused injuries like difficulty breathing, concussions, and loss of hearing for some passengers.

"The violence of the event bruised the bodies of some," the lawsuit says. "The cockpit door blew open and a flight attendant rushed to try to close it. The pressure change made ears bleed and combined with low oxygen, loud wind noise, and traumatic stress made heads ache severely."

According to the statement, passengers were shocked, terrorized, and confused, "thrust into a waking nightmare, hoping they would live long enough to walk the earth again."

The lawsuit notes that Boeing, the company that makes the planes, is responsible for making sure the design and maintenance instructions are safe. The passengers are asking for a trial to determine how much damage they suffered and are seeking compensation for medical expenses, travel costs, and lost wages.

According to Reuters, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun "acknowledged errors" and now more than 170 jets are undergoing technical checks.

Consequences for Boeing company

This incident has raised concerns about Boeing's safety after a challenging year for the company. Videos from passengers showing the incident went viral. The Federal Aviation Administration grounded similar Boeing planes for inspection.

Moreover, the incident caused a stir in the market, leading to a drop of approximately 8% in the company's stock during premarket trading.