NTSB Report on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Highlights Critical Role of Two Pilots on the Flight Deck

At the NTSB’s board meeting on June 24, the agency adopted its final investigative report on the Jan. 5, 2024, in-flight separation of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282’s left mid-exit door (MED) plug. The board’s report noted as one of its findings, “The teamwork and complementary duties of the flight crew, which occurred during the emergency, reinforce the necessity for a minimum crew of two pilots, as specified in the airplane type certificate, as well as Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 121 operating rules.”

“Today’s NTSB final report on Alaska Flight 1282 provides another important reminder of why having two highly trained, well-rested, and experienced pilots on the flight deck is absolutely critical to aviation safety,” said Capt. Jason Ambrosi, ALPA’s president. “The superior airmanship, extensive training, and quick thinking demonstrated by the captain and first officer saved the lives of all 171 passengers and six crewmembers aboard. While some seek to put profit ahead of safety and advocate for the removal of pilots from the flight deck, Flight 1282 should be a clear wake-up call that this would be a dangerous path to follow.

“We appreciate the NTSB’s thorough investigation and comprehensive final report, which underscores the vital importance of having two pilots on the flight deck who can work together, utilizing their extensive experience and all available resources, to safely manage emergencies that no computer system could anticipate or handle,” Ambrosi remarked. “We should be doing everything in our power to build on that success and reject any and all efforts to take our industry backward.”

The NTSB convened an investigative hearing on Aug. 6–7, 2024, to examine the accident, which involved a B-737-9 MAX. Shortly after taking off from Portland International Airport, the aircraft experienced the sudden loss of the MED plug at approximately 16,000 feet, which resulted in rapid depressurization of the cabin, compelling the crewmembers to declare an emergency and return to the airport for an immediate landing. According to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, the flight crew’s actions, which resulted in a safe return to Portland, Ore., were “incredible.”

Recognizing ALPA’s significant role in providing subject-matter expertise on aviation safety, the Association was named a party to the hearing. Capt. Steve Jangelis (Delta), the union’s Air Safety Organization Aviation Safety Group chair, represented ALPA as the party spokesperson. The Association’s involvement was particularly significant in bringing attention to the human factors and operational aspects that contributed to the safe outcome of the flight.

After notification of the accident, ALPA’s Air Safety Organization Accident Investigation Board, along with the Association’s Engineering & Air Safety and Representation Departments, quickly mobilized to support the crewmembers and the Alaska Central Air Safety Committee, which dispatched accident investigators to assist with the official NTSB investigation.

“I applaud the crew of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 for safely landing the aircraft and saving the lives of the passengers on board,” Ambrosi commented at the time. “ALPA is providing its pilots the support and resources needed, and we’re continuing to participate as a party to the NTSB investigation.”

Averting Potential Catastrophe

At the awards banquet held during ALPA’s 68th Air Safety Forum last September, F/O Emily Wiprud (Alaska) was presented with the union’s Superior Airmanship Award for her actions that helped avert a likely catastrophe on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 when a door plug blew out in flight.

“I’m so honored to accept this Superior Airmanship Award on behalf of the entire crew of Flight 1282, the talented and passionate individuals I was lucky to serve alongside of that day…. I can’t emphasize strongly enough how incredible the crew was in that moment,” Wiprud said. “I’m so thankful that there were two flightcrew members on the flight deck, enabling us to work together seamlessly as a team.”

Watch a video of Wiprud accepting ALPA’s Superior Airmanship Award.

 

This article was originally published in the August 2025 issue of Air Line Pilot.