A Pattern of Blame: Boeing Faces New Accusations

A new lawsuit claims Boeing tried to blame an Alaska Airlines captain for the January 2024 737 MAX 9 door plug blowout—despite federal investigators finding the failure stemmed from Boeing’s own manufacturing mistakes. Captain Brandon Fisher, who safely landed the aircraft after the panel tore away mid‑flight, is seeking $10 million in damages, saying Boeing’s statements falsely suggested pilot error and caused serious personal and professional harm.

NTSB Findings Contradict Boeing’s Claims

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has already determined what caused the door plug to blow out: four important bolts that were supposed to hold the panel in place were never reinstalled during manufacturing.

In its 2025 report, the NTSB found that:

• Boeing did not give workers enough training or oversight when they were removing and reinstalling parts.
• The company’s internal systems failed to track whether bolts and hardware were properly removed and replaced.
• The FAA did not catch Boeing’s ongoing and repeated safety problems.

These findings directly challenge Boeing’s suggestion that the pilots were at fault.

The lawsuit also points to a 2025 letter from the FBI telling Captain Fisher that he “may have been the victim of criminally negligent conduct by Boeing,” highlighting how serious the situation is.

A Pattern Seen Before: Link to Air India Flight 171

The allegations mirror issues uncovered in the Air India Flight 171 crash investigation, where missing documentation, oversight failures, and manufacturing lapses raised major concerns about Boeing’s safety culture. In both cases, Boeing has been accused of deflecting responsibility onto pilots or third parties instead of acknowledging internal failures.

For consumers, the message is clear: whether it’s a catastrophic crash or a mid‑air structural failure, the root problems point to the same breakdowns in accountability and safety practices.

Our Commitment

Beasley Allen continues to investigate aviation defects and hold manufacturers accountable when preventable failures put passengers and crew at risk. Our aviation team is actively involved in the Air India Flight 171 investigation and continues to monitor developments involving the Boeing 787.

If you or a loved one has been affected by an aviation incident, our attorneys are available to help you understand your legal options.

For more Air India updates and recent interviews, click here.