US opens criminal probe into Boeing 737 MAX mid-flight blowout

Investigation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s safety record following fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

Prosecutors in the United States have opened a criminal investigation into the mid-flight blowout involving a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines, according to US media reports.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has interviewed witnesses including aircrew as part of the probe into the January 5 incident in which a portion of the fuselage blew off mid-flight, the Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post reported on Saturday.

Alaska Airlines said it was cooperating with authorities.

“In an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation,” Alaska Airlines said in a statement provided to the outlets.

Boeing did not immediately respond to a request for comment.