The window blew off the Alaska Airlines flight shortly after it took off (Picture: KPTV)
A plane carrying 180 people was forced to land after a window and chunk of the fuselage were blown out 16,000 ft in the air.
The window blew off the Alaska Airlines flight shortly after it took off from Portland International Airport, causing the cabin to depressurise.
The airline said the plane landed safely with 174 passengers and six crew members.
But they gave no possible causes as to why the window was blown out.
The plane was diverted about about six minutes after taking off, according to flight tracking data from the FlightAware website.
Pictures show the hole in the side of the plane next to passenger seats, with people wearing oxygen masks.
The Boeing 737-9 Max involved in the incident received its certification two months ago, according to online FAA records.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating an event on the flight and would post updates when they are available. The Federal Aviation Administration also said it would investigate.
The entire sidewall at one seat location blew out(Picture: daays/Reddit)
The plane had been on 145 flights since entering commercial service on November 11, said FlightRadar24, another tracking service. The flight from Portland was the aircraft’s third of the day.
The plane had been on 145 flights since entering commercial service on November 11, said FlightRadar24, another tracking service.
The flight from Portland was the aircraft’s third of the day.
Boeing said it was aware of the incident, working to gather more information and ready to support the investigation.
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The plane was 16,000 ft in the air when the window blew off.