AFA Alaska

Representing the Flight Attendants of Alaska + Hawaiian

Click here to report an issue to AFA
You are here: Home / Archives for Latest News / AFA News Now

NTSB Investigation of Alaska Flight 1282

Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC)

  • The NTSB plays a vital role in ensuring aviation safety through thorough investigations.
  • AFA is a party to the investigation. Party status allows relevant organizations to help facilitate the gathering of information pertinent to the investigation.
  • The NTSB’s YouTube channel provides updates on ongoing investigations. The NTSB report timeline estimates an initial report in 60 to 90 days and a final report in 12 to 18 months following an accident.

NTSB Investigations

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is an independent agency responsible for investigating every civil aviation accident in the United States. Their mission is to determine the probable cause of each accident and issue vital safety recommendations to prevent future tragedies.

Stages of an investigation:

  • On-Scene Data Gathering: This first phase involves collecting evidence at the scene and interviewing relevant personnel, including the crew.
  • Data Analysis and Reconstruction: Investigators meticulously analyze gathered data, including flight recorders and maintenance records, to piece together the sequence of events.
  • Public Briefings and Reports: Throughout the investigation, the NTSB shares updates through public briefings and releases preliminary and final reports outlining their findings and safety recommendations.

The Role of “Parties”

The NTSB designates other organizations whose employees, functions, activities, or products were involved in the accident as parties to the NTSB investigation to facilitate the rapid and complete acquisition of all relevant information. This includes entities such as manufacturers, airlines, labor unions, and regulatory agencies.

AFA requested and was granted party status in the NTSB investigation of Alaska Flight 1282 alongside Boeing, Alaska Airlines, the FAA, and others.

There are specific limitations on the parties:

  • No Speculation Allowed: Parties cannot publicly comment on the accident’s probable cause.
  • Confidentiality is Key: Sharing investigative details outside of the participants in the investigation is strictly prohibited.

Staying Informed on the Investigation

For publicly available NTSB updates on the Alaska Flight 1282 investigation, please visit the investigation’s NTSB page at: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/Pages/DCA24MA063.aspx

NTSB Report Timeline

Here’s the typical timeline for NTSB reports following an accident:

  • 60-90 Days: An initial report summarizing the facts is released, potentially including urgent safety recommendations.
  • 12-18 Months: The final report, outlining the probable cause, contributing factors, and detailed safety recommendations, is published.

Please remember that this timeline is an estimate and may be subject to change based on new information uncovered during the investigation.

Sources and Additional Resources

January 2024 MEC Meeting Recap

Master Executive Council (MEC)

  • The January 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was held last week on Wednesday, January 10.
  • Our MEC discussed mobilization efforts surrounding the ongoing strike vote and the upcoming Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on February 13.
  • Our Negotiating Committee will conduct Strike Vote Virtual Roadshows this week to share insights into the contract negotiations process and provide information about CHAOS™.

The January 2024 Regular MEC Meeting was held last week on Wednesday, January 10. The meeting consisted of updates from our MEC Officers, LEC Presidents, Grievance Committee, and Scheduling Committee. Our MEC also reviewed written reports submitted by other AFA MEC Committee Chairpersons about their current programs of work.

No Meeting with Management This Month

There was no scheduled meeting with management during this month’s MEC meeting.

Contract Negotiations and Mobilization

Our MEC had a comprehensive discussion with MEC Mobilization Committee Chairperson Samantha Wolff regarding the mobilization efforts surrounding our ongoing strike vote and the upcoming Worldwide Flight Attendant Day of Action on February 13. Flight Attendants can expect to see Mobilization Volunteers at the airport in our six bases at varying times throughout the week to encourage members to vote, answer questions, and provide resources to help with replacement activation codes and technical assistance.

This week, our Negotiating Committee will conduct Strike Vote Virtual Roadshows, where they will share insights into the contract negotiations process and provide valuable information about CHAOS™. Each roadshow session will offer a comprehensive review of our current negotiation status, the reason behind our decision to take a strike vote, and what members can expect in the future. A portion of each session will be dedicated to answering questions directly from those in attendance.

Questions?

If you have any questions about this month’s Regular MEC Meeting, please get in touch with your LEC President.

Alaska Flight 1282 and MAX 9 Aircraft FAA Action Update

Master Executive Council (MEC)

The Flight Attendants and Pilots of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 are true heroes who displayed quick thinking and bravery during an explosive decompression incident that occurred during takeoff from PDX last night. Thanks to their exceptional skills, all passengers and crew were able to reach the ground safely. We proudly commend the entire crew for their outstanding performance, and our union fully supports them. Our Master Executive Council (MEC) and other AFA Representatives were privileged to sit in on a debrief today with these brave Flight Attendants.

AFA Officers and Representatives have been in constant meetings with management starting last night, continually advocating for transparency and timely communication with our workgroup. Although we fully acknowledge the constantly evolving situation, we are beyond disappointed that it took most of the day to receive detailed communication from management. Management must do better! 

We are diligently and rigorously monitoring the situation to ensure that no aircraft are returned to service until they are deemed completely safe. AFA is taking an active and robust role in the NTSB investigation, and we stand fully behind the process for obtaining comprehensive safety findings and implementing necessary actions. We realize that you may have questions about the incident, and many of these may only be answered once the NTSB has completed its investigation and issued its report.

The MAX 9’s temporary grounding has caused some flight cancellations and reassignments. Flight Attendants should refer to the relevant sections of the contract for clear instructions on reassignment, hotel bookings, and return to base requirements.

Flight Attendants are aviation’s first responders — trained for emergencies, and we work every flight for aviation safety first and foremost. We fly only when it’s safe.

AFA EAP is always available to support any Flight Attendant in need at (949) 470-0493.

AFA Alaska Statement on Alaska Airlines Decision To Temporarily Ground 737-9 MAX Fleet

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Alaska Airlines has announced the temporary grounding of the Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft fleet after the recent incident on Alaska Flight 1282. Our Union strongly believes this decision is a prudent and necessary step toward ensuring the utmost safety of all crewmembers and passengers. We will closely monitor the maintenance and safety inspection process by management to ensure that aircraft are not returned to service until they are deemed safe for all.

The temporary grounding of the 737-9 MAX fleet will inevitably lead to flight cancellations, reassignments, and strandings. Flight Attendants should review sections 10.S (Pre-Cancellations) and 10.R (Reassignments) of our contract, as well as the Pre-Cancellation and Reassignment flowcharts available on the AFA Alaska website, to understand your obligations and options in these situations. If you need any assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your Local Scheduling Committee.

AFA EAP is always available to offer support to any Flight Attendant in need at (800) 424-2406.

AFA Alaska Statement on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

Master Executive Council (MEC)

Our Union is taking immediate action and providing support to the Flight Attendants on board Alaska Flight 1282 at PDX. Flight Attendants described the decompression as explosive, and one Flight Attendant sustained minor injuries. The situation could have turned catastrophic without the exceptional skills and professionalism of the working Flight Attendants and pilots. We commend the entire crew for their outstanding work under such trying circumstances.

We are working closely with AFA Safety and EAP and have already established contact with the NTSB and the FAA. As this is a serious incident, Alaska Airlines management must take all necessary and immediate action required to ensure the safety of crew members and passengers in light of today’s events. Our Union will closely monitor management’s response and ensure their actions live up to the company’s value of “owning safety.”

We want to take this opportunity to acknowledge the heroic actions of the Alaska Flight Attendants in handling the situation with utmost bravery and composure. We will keep everyone updated as more information becomes available. AFA EAP is always available to offer support to any Flight Attendant in need at (800) 424-2406.

Hotel Committee Meeting Recap – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Monday, September 8, our AFA Local Hotel Committee Chairpersons met in person in Seattle to receive an update about current layover hotels and transportation providers and discuss concerns with management. Representing you at the meeting were Dori Marron (ANC), Jarod McNeill (SEA), Ila Christy (PDX), Hilary […]

We Will Never Forget – September 11, 2001

AFA Never Forget Website United Flight 175 Robert J. FangmanAmy N. JarretAmy R. KingKathryn LaBorieAlfred G. MarchandMichael C. TarrouAlicia N. TitusCaptain: Victor SaraciniFirst Officer: Michael HorrocksCustomer Service Representatives: Marianne MacFarlane and Jesus Sanchez United Flight 93 Lorraine G. BaySandra BradshawWanda A. GreenCeeCee LylesDeborah WelshCaptain: Jason DahlFirst Officer: Leroy Homer American Flight 11 Barbara AresteguiJeffrey CollmanSara […]

Vacation Survey Now Open

This message is for both pre-merger Alaska and Hawaiian Flight Attendants Your Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) is working diligently to understand and improve the vacation benefits for our Flight Attendants at Alaska and Hawaiian. Your input is essential in ensuring that the vacation provisions we adopt reflect your needs and preferences. To gather your perspectives, […]

SEA Domicile Negotiations – September 2025

This message is for pre-merger Hawaiian Flight Attendants Negotiations Update The SEA Domicile Negotiating Committee met this week for three days of collective bargaining with management.  The SEA NC met with management on September 3 to September 5 in Honolulu. At the negotiating table for this session were: Representing AFA and our Flight Attendants   […]

Pre-Merger Alaska MEC Committee Interviews—October 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants In accordance with Article VI.C of the AFA Alaska MEC Policy and Procedure Manual, the terms of office for the MEC Committee Chairpersons and other MEC-level positions align with those of the MEC Officers. Since the current term for the MEC Officers will conclude on December 31, […]

Recent Posts

News By Month

News By Category

AFA News Now Air Quality Air Safety, Health, & Security Committee (ASHSC) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) AS/HA Merger AS/VX Merger Benefits Committee Committees Communications Committee Contract Contract 2014 Negotiations Blog Council 15 SAN Council 18 LAX Council 19 SEA Council 30 ANC Council 35 SFO Council 39 PDX EAP/Professional Standards Committee Extension 2021 Blog Featured Government Affairs Committee Grievance Committee Hotel Committee Human Rights & Equity Committee Industry News Inflight Service Committee Inflight Training Committee JNC Blog Joint Negotiating Committee (JNC) Latest News Local Councils Master Executive Council (MEC) Membership Committee Message from the MEC President Mobilization Committee Negotiations Pairing Construction Preferential Bidding System (PBS) Press Releases Reserve Committee Retirement Committee Scheduling Committee Uniform Committee

Want To Stay In The Loop?

Stay up-to-date on AFA Alaska news and information by signing up for our email and text message updates. Click a button below to get started or update your preferences if you're already a subscriber.
Sign Up for Emails
Sign Up for Text Updates