A Boeing 737-800 aircraft operated by All Nippon Airways (ANA) was forced to return to its departure airport in Japan after a crack was discovered in the cockpit window mid-flight. Flight 1182, initially en route to Toyama airport from Sapporo-New Chitose airport, had to reverse course following the incident.
The crack was identified in the outermost layer of the cockpit’s four-layered window system, as stated by a spokesperson for ANA. They assured that the crack did not impact the flight’s control or pressurization. Fortunately, none of the 59 passengers and six crew members aboard the flight suffered any injuries.
This incident comes amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing aircraft, following a separate occurrence involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9 plane. Operated by Alaska Airlines, that aircraft experienced an emergency landing due to a cabin panel detachment mid-flight on January 5, resulting in serious injuries to six crew members.
The recent issues with Boeing aircraft have led to increased oversight by aviation regulators. Following the Alaska Airlines incident, the US aviation regulator extended the grounding of Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplanes indefinitely, pending additional safety checks and tighter oversight of Boeing.
The All Nippon Airways flight in question was not a MAX model. However, the incident adds to the series of concerns surrounding Boeing’s aircraft safety. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is involved in examining the detached cabin panel from the Alaska Airlines flight, indicating the seriousness of these aviation safety issues.
Boeing has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to safety, stating they are working closely with airlines to address any findings and ensure all Boeing airplanes meet the highest safety and quality standards. The company expressed regret over the impact these incidents have had on customers and passengers.
The grounding of Boeing’s MAX 8 planes in 2019 after two fatal crashes has brought increased attention to the manufacturer’s safety protocols and the aviation industry’s regulatory standards.
