A pilot hailed as a hero is taking legal action against Boeing, alleging that the aircraft manufacturer tried to blame him for an emergency landing caused by its mistake. Brandon Fisher successfully landed Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 at Portland International Airport in Oregon after a panel detached mid-flight, receiving praise for his quick actions that saved all 171 passengers and six crew members.
Fisher’s legal team claims Boeing has a history of shifting blame in similar cases, citing a previous lawsuit by flight attendants. According to the lawsuit filed in an Oregon court, Boeing’s attempt to deflect responsibility by insinuating improper maintenance or misuse of the aircraft by others was aimed at unfairly targeting Captain Fisher.
Despite Boeing’s silence on the lawsuit, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Boeing executives have commended Fisher for his handling of the situation. An NTSB investigation revealed that the detachment was due to missing bolts during the assembly of the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft, implicating both Boeing and its supplier Spirit Aerosystems.
The concealed location of the bolts behind interior panels made it impossible for routine inspections to detect the issue, leading to the gradual loosening of the panel over multiple flights. Fisher’s lawyers expressed his disappointment at Boeing’s attempt to discredit his actions, considering his longstanding career flying Boeing aircraft for Alaska Airlines.
Industry experts, including experienced pilot John Cox, praised the crew’s performance during the incident, emphasizing that the manufacturing flaw was the root cause and not the crew’s actions. Boeing’s CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has prioritized safety improvements since assuming the position in August 2024.
Alaska Airlines refrained from commenting directly on the lawsuit but acknowledged the crew’s bravery and quick thinking that ensured the safety of everyone on board Flight 1282.