Criminal investigation launched into shock Boeing jetliner blowout

A criminal investigation has been launched into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a huge hole on an Alaska Airlines plane in January, it has been reported.

The Wall Street Journal reported said investigators have contacted passengers and crew – including pilots and flight attendants – who were on the January 5 flight.

The Boeing plane used by Alaska Airlines suffered the blowout seven minutes after take-off from Portland, Oregon, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing.

Boeing has been under increased scrutiny since the incident, when a panel that plugged a space left for an extra emergency door blew off a Max 9 jet. There were no serious injuries.

Alaska Airlines said in a prepared statement: “In an event like this, it’s normal for the DoJ to be conducting an investigation.

“We are fully co-operating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.”