An All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight in Japan had to turn back to its departure airport after a crack was found on the cockpit window during the flight.
The Boeing 737-800 flight 1182, carrying 59 passengers and six crew to Toyama airport, landed safely at Sapporo-New Chitose Airport after the issue was discovered on the outermost of four cockpit window layers.
There were no injuries reported among the 59 passengers and six crew, a spokesperson for the airline said. “The crack was not something that affected the flight’s control or pressurisation,” the ANA spokesperson said.
This incident marks the second involving a Boeing aircraft in just a week. However, the ANA aircraft was not one of the Boeing models that have created headlines.
While no injuries were reported on the ANA flight, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 incident last week involved a fuselage hole and led to the grounding of all 737 MAX 9 aircraft in the US.
The Alaska flight landed safely with all 174 passengers and six crew members, though flight data showed it flew to 16,000 feet before returning to Portland International Airport. Alaska Airlines said it was grounding its entire fleet of Boeing 737-9 aircraft.
The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cited concerns over safety and data analysis, and said all 737 MAX 9 planes would remain grounded until the maker provided further data regarding the Alaska Airlines incident. Boeing has expressed cooperation "fully and transparently” with the FAA's investigation and emphasized its commitment to quality and safety across its production system.
This latest incident adds another layer of concern for the Boeing 737 MAX, a model previously grounded for nearly two years after two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. While the 737 MAX received clearance to fly again after safety upgrades, the 737-9's grounding highlights ongoing concerns about Boeing aircraft.
Passengers flying on Boeing aircraft, particularly the 737-9 model, should be aware of the current grounding and potential safety concerns. Travellers are encouraged to stay informed and contact their airline with any questions or concerns.
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