Report: DOJ Launches Criminal Probe into Boeing Max Blowout

The U.S. Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the Jan. 5 door-plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 that occurred shortly after takeoff from Portland, Ore., the Wall Street Journal reported, citing documents and people familiar with the matter. 

Boeing declined to comment, and the DOJ did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation or comment. Alaska Airlines in a statement said, "In an event like this, it's normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation."

Investigators have contacted some passengers and crew, according to the report. 

The report comes a few days after the National Transportation Safety Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy told the Senate Commerce Committee on March 6 that Boeing had not provided crucial information needed to conduct a full investigation. Hours after that hearing, Boeing provided some of the requested information, including the names of 25 members on the door team, but indicated it might not have additional records requested that relate to the door-plug work.

On March 4, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration found in a six-week audit "multiple instances" where Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, the fuselage manufacturer, had failed to comply with manufacturing quality-control requirements. 

 Boeing Blasted in NTSB Hearing Regarding Door-Plug Incident