Missing Alaska Airlines Door Plug Found in Portland Backyard

A schoolteacher in Portland had contacted the NTSB after discovering the missing part of the aircraft in his backyard.

The damaged part of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, Flight 1282, which was forced to return to Portland International Airport on Jan. 5, 2024. The Oregonian via AP

A missing door plug that blew off an Alaska Airlines plane in mid-air on Friday has been recovered in the backyard of a Portland home, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said on Sunday.

Speaking at a press conference on Jan. 7, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said the missing Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug was found in the backyard of a Portland schoolteacher who was only identified as Bob.