In an unfortunate turn of events, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft experienced an inflight blowout over Oregon, prompting concerns about pressurization problems. The incident has led to the grounding of 171 Max 9 jets by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and has raised questions about the safety of the aircraft model.

According to Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the warning light indicating possible pressurization issues had lit up on three previous flights before the fateful incident on Friday. As a precautionary measure, Alaska Airlines decided to restrict the aircraft from long flights over water, ensuring it could quickly return to an airport if the warning light reappeared.

Homendy emphasized that the pressurization light may or may not be related to the blowout incident. The NTSB is currently examining the lost door plug, which was found near Portland, Oregon. Weighing 63 pounds and measuring 26 by 48 inches, it will provide crucial evidence in determining how it broke free.

In response to the incident, the FAA has approved guidelines for inspecting door plugs on other Max 9 jets and repairing them if necessary. This measure is expected to expedite the return to service of the 171 grounded planes.

Alaska Airlines, which owns 64 Max 9s, and United Airlines, with 79 Max 9s in its fleet, are the only U.S. airlines operating this particular Boeing aircraft model. The incident has prompted concerns among passengers and investors, as shares of The Boeing Co. and Spirit AeroSystems, which manufactures the fuselage for the 737 Max, both tumbled 7% during Monday's trading session.

During a press conference, Homendy revealed disturbing details about the chaotic scene onboard the ill-fated Alaska Airlines flight. The blowout caused an explosive rush of air that damaged several rows of seats and pulled insulation from the walls. The cockpit door also flew open, colliding with a lavatory door. Despite the harrowing situation, the plane managed to make a safe landing in Portland without serious injuries to any of the 171 passengers or six crew members on board.

The investigation faces obstacles, as the cockpit voice recorder recorded over the flight sounds after two hours. However, officials have retrieved two cell phones believed to have belonged to passengers on the flight, which may provide valuable information.

This incident has led to substantial disruptions for Alaska and United Airlines, as flight cancellations have become necessary. On Monday, Alaska Airlines canceled 20% of all flights, amounting to 141 cancellations, while United Airlines had to cancel 221 flights, which accounted for 8% of its scheduled flights.

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has called for a companywide webcast to address the incident with employees and senior leadership. Calhoun stressed the importance of working transparently with customers and regulators to understand the cause of the event and prevent similar incidents in the future.

The Boeing 737 Max 9, introduced in 2017, is the latest version of Boeing's popular 737 aircraft. However, it has faced numerous issues, including concerns about an automated flight control system implicated in previous crashes, manufacturing flaws, concerns about overheating, and a potential loose bolt in the rudder system.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of passengers and addressing any underlying issues that may have contributed to this alarming incident.