Boeing, Spirit AeroSystems, and Alaska Airlines filed a joint opposition on Tuesday to a request from passengers involved in a lawsuit stemming from a January 5, 2023, incident aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282. The passengers, led by Elna Marie Berry, seek to voluntarily dismiss their case in federal court to refile in Washington state court, where they hope to pursue a jury trial. The three companies argue that this request is an improper attempt at forum-shopping after nearly a year of active litigation, and it would result in unnecessary delays.
The incident in question occurred when the flight experienced a midair door plug blowout shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon, to Ontario, California. The plaintiffs initially filed the lawsuit in King County Superior Court, alleging that Boeing and Spirit negligently manufactured the planes and that Alaska Airlines failed to properly inspect and maintain them. The case was moved to federal court in February after Boeing requested the transfer.
