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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

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.

Council 35 (SFO) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT today for the election of Council 35 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in San Francisco. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Melissa OsborneLEC Vice President: Virginia FritzLEC Secretary: James IkeharaCouncil Representative: Bradley Young View the certified election results here >> These […]

Council 18 (LAX) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 11 AM PT today for the election of Council 18 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in Los Angeles. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Kelese Richardson LEC Vice President: Bryan WallLEC Secretary: Jodi Leann NelsonCouncil Representative: Eric Howell View the certified election results here >> […]

Meet Your Merged MEC Committee Chairpersons

We’re excited to introduce our first group of newly elected merged MEC Committee Chairpersons, who will begin their roles on June 1. These leaders are dedicated to representing the interests of our Flight Attendants as they coordinate activities across the merged committees of both airlines. They’ll work closely with the Local Committee Chairpersons from all […]

Uniform Committee Meeting Recap – 2nd Quarter 2025

This message is for pre-merger Alaska Flight Attendants On Thursday, May 8, the AFA Local Uniform Committee Chairpersons met to discuss their ongoing work to represent Flight Attendants and push for improvements in the workplace. Representing you at the meeting were Kim Mazzolini (ANC), Dena Heath (SEA), David Jelinek (PDX), Lisa Mueller (SFO), Heather Holmes […]

Council 15 (SAN) LEC Officer Election Results

Polls closed at 12 PM PT yesterday for the election of Council 15 LEC Officers, representing Alaska Airlines Flight Attendants based in San Diego. The following AFA Flight Attendants have been elected to Local Council Officer positions: LEC President: Brice McGeeLEC Vice President: Melanie BukerLEC Secretary: Katharine “Kitty” Cohen View the certified election results here >> These newly […]

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