Following the near-accident of a Boeing 737-8 Max in early January, the US Department of Justice has also initiated investigations. The affected airline, Alaska Airlines, announced on Saturday that it is cooperating with the investigation and does not assume that it is the focus of the inquiry. The "Wall Street Journal" had previously reported that investigators had made contact with passengers and had questioned pilots and flight attendants.

Incident with a Nearly New Alaska Boeing 737-8 Max: Fuselage Fragment Breaks Off at Row 26 Shortly After Takeoff

Fortunately, over 170 People on Board Were Unharmed. Experts Note that it Was a Stroke of Luck that Both Seats Were Empty Where the Hole in the Fuselage Appeared. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) Believes that Four Mounting Bolts Were Missing on the Fuselage Part. There Are Indications that the Fragment Gradually Worked Its Way Loose, Finally Breaking Off on the 154th Flight.

The Incident Already Has Consequences for the Aircraft Manufacturer. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Has Instructed the Company Not to Expand the Production of the Max Models, Which is a Necessary Measure for Boeing to Reduce Delivery Delays. The FAA is Also Thoroughly Examining the Manufacturing Processes. However, the Department of Justice's Investigations Could Bring Additional Problems for Boeing.

Investigations will also focus on whether Boeing is complying with the conditions of a settlement reached following the crashes of two 737 Max airplanes in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in a total of 346 fatalities. At that time, the issue was linked to an assistance software. As part of the $2.5 billion settlement, Boeing admitted that its former employees had not sufficiently informed the FAA about the necessary pilot training for operating the software. Among other agreements, it was decided that Boeing would face no legal issues and would cooperate in all regulatory investigations.

If the Department of Justice concludes that Boeing has breached these commitments, the previous allegations of misrepresentation could be reconsidered or the oversight of the corporation extended. The NTSB, which continues to investigate the incident at Alaska Airlines, also fears that the Department of Justice's investigations could lead to Boeing employees being reticent in their communications with the authorities.

The news of the Justice Department's investigations also affects Boeing's stock price. At the New York Stock Exchange, Boeing shares recorded a pre-market loss of 0.97 percent to 196.57 US dollars. Investors are worried about potential further problems and uncertainties for the company.

The incident at Alaska Airlines has consequences not only for the affected airline but also for the aircraft manufacturer Boeing. The current investigation by the Department of Justice could potentially bring further problems for the company. Investors are cautiously reacting to the news and are closely monitoring developments at Boeing.