Captain Brandon Fisher, the Alaska Airlines pilot celebrated for averting disaster by safely landing a jetliner after a door plug panel detached shortly after takeoff, has initiated a lawsuit against Boeing. Fisher argues in his legal complaint filed in Oregon, that Boeing has wrongfully tried to evade responsibility by blaming him and his crew in prior legal filings.
The incident in question occurred on January 2024, when Flight 1282 departed from Portland, Oregon, and the blowout resulted in a dramatic air vacuum. Despite the chaos, thanks to Fisher's adept handling of the emergency, all 177 passengers and crew were unharmed, although eight individuals sustained minor injuries.
In the lawsuit, Fisher's attorneys assert that Boeing's attempts to deflect blame have resulted in him being sued by passengers, contributing to significant emotional distress. They describe Boeing's actions as a betrayal, particularly considering Fisher's long-standing career flying Boeing aircraft.
Boeing did not directly address Fisher's lawsuit, but the company has faced scrutiny since the incident, including a $3.1 million fine from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for safety violations linked to the blowout. Reports from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that several bolts integral to the door plug panel were improperly handled during assembly, implicating both Boeing and its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, who has since been acquired by Boeing itself.
While Fisher's suit amplifies criticism of Boeing's safety practices, the airline itself has expressed continued appreciation for the quick actions of its crew, maintaining that pilot and flight attendant bravery ensured the safety of all aboard.
