An Alaska Airlines pilot is suing Boeing after a high-stakes emergency landing. He had been piloting the craft when a midair cabin panel blew out. The pilot alleges the manufacturer tried to blame him for the incident.
At the end of December, Captain Bradon Fisher filed a lawsuit against Boeing seeking $10 million in damages. He alleges that Boeing tried to make him a scapegoat. On January 5, 2024, an Alaska Airlines Flight had its cabin door plug blow out mid-flight. The pilot had to make an emergency landing.
It had been a Boeing 737 Max 9. Fortunately, Fisher landed the plane safely, and all 177 people survived. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) concluded that "multiple system failures" caused the accident. The organization placed blame on Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Fisher argues Boeing denied responsibility. The manufacturer claimed the plane was "improperly maintained or misused by persons and/or entities other than Boeing."
Boeing Lawsuit Latest Controversy
Fisher claims this is defamatory and caused him emotional distress.
"Boeing knew this statement was false at the time it was made, but made it anyway as part of its often-used post-accident strategy to blame pilots for incidents caused solely by its own actions," the lawsuit alleges. "It was clear Boeing's words were directed at Captain Fisher in attempt to paint him as the scapegoat for Boeing's numerous failures."
It's just the latest lawsuit against the company. Four flight attendants from that same flight filed lawsuits last August. They alleged physical and emotional injuries. A spokesperson for the manufacturer spoke out about its safety plan.
"In the past two years, we've taken a disciplined look at every facet of our production operations," the spokesperson said. "We developed a comprehensive plan to strengthen Boeing's safety management, quality assurance and safety culture — and we are seeing the benefits of these actions."
