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A "miraculous" landing raises systemic airline safety questions

The Big Story
The Big Story
Episode • Jan 11, 2024 • 16m

None of the 177 passengers on an Alaska Airlines flight was seriously hurt, despite a panel blowing out of the middle of the aircraft at 16,000 feet shortly after takeoff. The emergency landing is a credit to the people involved. What we've since learned about this series of aircraft, though, is deeply troubling.

Outsourcing is a growing trend in the aircraft industry. The company the built the key part of this aircraft—as well as others that have since been grounded—was already mired in an ongoing court case for allegedly cutting corners. This is not the first time a large chunk of Boeing planes have been grounded over safety concerns. What's happening in the airplane industry? And what do you need to know if you're flying?

GUEST: Katya Schwenk, reporter at The Lever

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The Big Story • A "miraculous" landing raises systemic airline safety questions • Listen on Fountain