A pilot hailed as a hero is taking legal action against Boeing, alleging that the aircraft manufacturer tried to shift blame onto him after an emergency landing incident. Brandon Fisher successfully landed Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 at Portland International Airport in Oregon after a door panel detached soon after takeoff. Despite being commended for his quick actions that saved all 171 passengers and six crew members, Fisher’s legal team claims Boeing has a history of evading responsibility in similar cases.
According to Fisher’s lawyers, Boeing attempted to attribute the mishap to improper maintenance or misuse by others instead of taking accountability for the incident in January 2024. The lawsuit filed in an Oregon court accuses Boeing of unfairly targeting Captain Fisher to deflect from its own failures. Both the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) praised Fisher for his actions during the emergency.
An investigation revealed that four crucial bolts securing the door panel were missing due to an oversight during assembly, involving both Boeing and supplier Spirit Aerosystems. The NTSB found that the issue went undetected in routine inspections, eventually leading to the panel detachment during Flight 1282. Fisher’s legal team expressed his disappointment with Boeing’s attempt to blame him, considering his long-standing association with flying Boeing aircraft.
The NTSB confirmed the incident stemmed from a manufacturing flaw, emphasizing the exemplary response of the flight crew. Aviation safety expert John Cox lauded the crew’s performance under pressure, dismissing Boeing’s legal stance as unfounded. While Boeing refrained from commenting directly on the lawsuit, CEO Kelly Ortberg has prioritized safety improvements since assuming leadership in August 2024.
Alaska Airlines chose not to comment on the ongoing litigation but expressed gratitude for the courage and quick thinking displayed by the crew on Flight 1282, ensuring the safety of all onboard.