SEATTLE (AP) — Additional passengers who were onboard a flight when a section of its fuselage ruptured in January are taking legal action — including one individual who credits a seat belt with saving their life.
The most recent legal complaint, representing seven passengers, was lodged in Washington’s King County Superior Court on Thursday against Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Spirit AeroSystems, and 10 individuals identified as John Does.
Cuong Tran, hailing from Upland, California, was seated in the row behind the area where the side of the aircraft ripped open, creating a door-sized opening on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Jan. 5, as per a statement from attorney Timothy A. Loranger. Loranger, the legal representative who submitted the lawsuit, mentioned that air gushed out of the aperture, pulling Tran and other nearby passengers.
The force of the suction ripped Tran’s shoes and socks off his feet, causing his body to lift off the seat, the statement detailed. Additionally, Tran sustained a foot injury when it was forcefully pushed into the seat structure in front of him.
“Our clients — and likely every passenger on that flight — endured unnecessary trauma as a result of Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Alaska Airlines failing to ensure the aircraft’s safety and airworthiness,” Loranger remarked.
The lawsuit is pursuing punitive, compensatory, and general damages for alleged negligence, product construction/manufacturing defects, and a breach of duty to safeguard passengers from harm.
Boeing replied to an email on Thursday seeking comment, stating, “We have nothing to add.” Alaska Airlines and Spirit AeroSystems did not immediately respond to email inquiries seeking comments.
The initial six minutes of the flight from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario International Airport in Southern California proceeded routinely, with the Boeing 737 Max 9 reaching halfway to its cruising altitude and traveling at over 400 mph (640 kph). Suddenly, a section of the fuselage behind the left wing disintegrated.
The pilots executed an emergency landing back in Portland. Fortunately, no one sustained serious injuries.
Another lawsuit was filed last month on behalf of 22 other passengers on the same flight, also alleging negligence on the part of the companies involved.
In a preliminary report issued last month, the National Transportation Safety Board disclosed that four bolts securing the door plug came loose after the panel was detached for repair work on nearby damaged rivets in September. The rivet repairs were conducted by contractors working for Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems.
Facing heightened scrutiny since the incident, Boeing admitted in a letter to Congress that it could not locate records for the work carried out on the door panel of the Alaska Airlines aircraft.
Moreover, the Department of Justice has initiated an investigation. This inquiry would aid the department in evaluating whether Boeing adhered to a settlement resolving a federal investigation into the safety of its 737 Max aircraft following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.