Three passengers who sued Alaska Airlines and Boeing for USD1 billion over the January 5, 2024, mid-air explosive decompression incident involving a B737-9 have settled the lawsuit with both companies out of court, the US broadcaster Fox News reported, quoting one of the attorneys for the passengers.
The settlement terms were not disclosed, and the suit was dismissed with prejudice on July 7, meaning the plaintiffs can not refile the same claim in the future.
The incident left one flight attendant and seven passengers with minor injuries. That day, an Alaska Airlines B737-9 experienced an in-flight separation of the left mid-exit door (MED) plug and rapid depressurisation during the climb shortly after taking off from Portland International en route to Ontario International.
The National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) found in its investigation of the incident that four bolts that secured the left MED plug to prevent it from moving upward vertically were missing before the plane was first delivered to Alaska Airlines, placing the blame on Boeing over the failed installation and oversight.
Following the incident, Boeing paid about USD160 million in cash to Alaska Air Group to compensate for the subsequent grounding of its B737-9 fleet.
Alaska Airlines declined to comment on the story, and Boeing was not immediately available.
