The depressurization incident on Alaska Airlines flight 1282 over Portland put an disconcerting spotlight on door plugs, a little-known component on certain aircraft including the Boeing 737 Max 9 ...

In response, the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all 737 Max 9 planes with such plugs, and aviation authorities in other countries have followed suit. The industry is watching closely.

United Airlines and Alaska Airlines say they found loose hardware on door plugs on several of their ... by our Tech Ops team to safely return the aircraft to service." Alaska Airlines said in ...

The Federal Aviation Administration is recommending that airlines visually inspect the door plugs of more Boeing planes after a similar panel blew off a jet in midair earlier this month.