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The U.S. Department of Justice has launched an investigation into an Alaska Airlines (NYSE:ALK) emergency in which a piece of aircraft fuselage from a Boeing 737 MAX blew out mid-air early this year, The Wall Street Journal reported Saturday, citing people familiar with the matter.
According to documents and people, the federal investigators have already contacted some passengers and crew on the ill-fated flight from Ontario, California, to Portland International Airport on Jan. 5.
The agency has interviewed pilots and flight attendants, The Journal reported. “In an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. Alaska Airlines (ALK) said, adding, “We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.”
The justice department has started informing Alaska (ALK) passengers on the flight that they are potential crime victims in the case.
The investigation will inform the DoJ’s review of whether Boeing (NYSE:BA) has abided by a previous agreement that settled a federal investigation into two deadly 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.
If findings indicate that the aircraft maker has breached the agreement, it could face prosecution on the original count of defrauding the U.S. or would see an extension to a probationary, three-year period during which it is required to update the government on its compliance progress.