Four Alaska Airlines flight attendants who endured January 2024 catastrophic mid-air cabin panel blowout filed lawsuits against Boeing, seeking compensation for lasting physical and psychological injuries sustained during the harrowing incident, according to Reuters.
Seattle’s King County Superior Court on Tuesday, represent the latest legal challenge to the embattled aircraft manufacturer following National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) findings that blamed Boeing’s safety failures for the incident.
The attendants, whose identities remain protected, cite profound physical and mental trauma, emotional distress, and significant financial repercussions directly stemming from the explosive decompression of Alaska Airlines Flight.
Their legal action accuses Boeing of fundamental product liability for delivering an aircraft “unsafe to operate” and alleges negligence throughout its manufacturing processes.
Attorney Tracy Brammeier, representing the quartet, emphasised their courage amidst the chaos, asserting they merit full recompense for “this life-altering traumatic experience.”
Each of the four flight attendants acted courageously, following their training and putting their passengers’ safety first while fearing for their lives.
This legal action arrives just weeks after the NTSB delivered a damning verdict on the incident. Investigators determined Boeing failed catastrophically by neglecting to install four crucial retaining bolts in the door plug during production, an omission attributed to inadequate training, guidance, and oversight protocols.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) responded to the Alaska incident with unprecedented scrutiny. Actions included the immediate grounding of the 737-9 MAX fleet, a cap on MAX production expansion, a rigorous six-week audit revealing multiple manufacturing quality control failures, and a directive forcing Boeing to devise a comprehensive 90-day action plan to overhaul its safety and quality systems.
