FBI Sends Warning Letters to Passengers on Alaska Airlines Flight

According to the New York Times, passengers on a recent Alaska Airlines flight received warning letters from the FBI, indicating that they might be victims of a crime. The letters are part of an ongoing criminal investigation by the US Department of Justice into Boeing, the manufacturer of the 737 Max 9 jet.

The FBI’s Seattle office sent the letters, stating, “As a victim specialist from the Seattle field office, I am reaching out to you because we have identified you as a potential victim of a crime.” While the letter confirms an ongoing FBI investigation, it also highlights that the investigation may take some time, and the progress cannot be disclosed at this point.

Image Source: Reuters

Earlier this year, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX, with 171 passengers and 6 crew members on board, had to make an emergency landing immediately after takeoff due to a door malfunction. Preliminary investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed that the emergency exit door unexpectedly opened because it was missing four critical bolts.

The FBI’s Seattle spokesperson, Steve Bernd, declined to comment on the ongoing criminal investigation, and Boeing also refrained from commenting but stated that they are cooperating with the investigation.

Mark Lindquist, an attorney representing some of the passengers, welcomed the investigation, saying, “We want answers, accountability, and safer Boeing planes. The Department of Justice will bring a powerful tool to achieve those goals.”

The Wall Street Journal reported that investigators had reached out to some passengers and crew members for further information.

This investigation adds to Boeing’s growing list of troubles, including recent scrutiny by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over their manufacturing processes. The Department of Justice is also considering the resolution of criminal charges against the company in 2021, stemming from fatal accidents involving their Max 8 jets. Back then, the agency agreed to drop the charges in exchange for Boeing paying over $2.5 billion, primarily as compensation to customers.

Stay tuned for further updates on this ongoing investigation.

This article was written for Business Today.