The stakes are high for Alaska Airlines following reports of a flight en route to Seattle that was forced to turn back due to an engine problem. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTBS) has opened an inquiry into the incident, and its chairman, Robert Sumwalt, has warned that the airline could be in serious trouble due to the incident.
The problem arose shortly after takeoff, when the jet was heard sputtering and making strange noises. Of the 145 passengers and crew onboard, no one was injured, though the plane was forced to return back to Anchorage where it underwent inspection. No evidence of an explosion has been found, though the exact cause of the issue remains a mystery.
The NTBS began its investigation with an examination of the plane and its engines. It will also be looking into the aircraft’s maintenance logs, and the training and procedures of the crew and airline. The analysis could lead to serious consequences for the carrier, and according to Sumwalt, the agency could make recommendations that would drastically shape the airline’s operations.
Alaska Airlines has said that safety is its top priority and that it’s cooperating with the agency’s investigation. However, regardless of the outcome, the damage caused by the incident cannot be undone, and the inquiry calls into question the trust many airline customers put in the carrier.
With more than three decades of experience in aviation safety investigations, the NTSB will carefully scrutinize Alaska Airlines’ systems before releasing its conclusions. The inquiry is an ongoing event, and the outcome could determine the future – and safety – of the airline for years to come.