Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 passengers may be crime victims: FBI

The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has informed passengers who were aboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 during a January 5 mid-air emergency that they may be victims of a crime. The FBI’s letters, seen by Reuters, indicate progress in its probe into the MAX 9 emergency. The investigation is ongoing, and details cannot be disclosed at this time. The FBI’s communication follows updates in Justice Department guidelines for notifying potential crime victims after Boeing’s 737 MAX 8 crashes. Boeing declined to comment, emphasizing its cooperation with government investigations. Alaska Airlines stated its cooperation and believes it’s not the target of the probe. The mid-air emergency involved a door plug panel tearing off, causing minor injuries to passengers and crew. The National Transportation Safety Board found missing bolts in the aircraft, leading to the FAA’s grounding of the MAX 9 and directives for Boeing to address quality-control issues.

Source – CGTN