An Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX faced a mid-air emergency on January 6, with one of its doors blowing open just minutes after takeoff from Portland International Airport. The flight, carrying 177 passengers, made an emergency landing in Oregon. While US aviation authorities are investigating the incident, an unexpected discovery added a twist to the story.
Seanathan Bates found an iPhone, presumably fallen from the aircraft, on Barnes Road. The in-flight activation was still on, and the device, possibly an iPhone 14 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro, appeared undamaged with a protective case. Bates shared the find on X, gaining 6.6 million views and 41,000 likes. Users expressed amazement at the iPhone’s resilience, with some suggesting it could become an Apple marketing moment.
The Alaska Flight 1282 incident prompted safety checks and groundings of some Boeing 737 MAX 9 jets worldwide. The Federal Aviation Administration is mandating immediate inspections before these planes can resume flights. The emergency, triggered by a pressurization issue, led to a swift return to Portland, with no major injuries reported. Social media images displayed a blown-out side panel and dangling oxygen masks.
As investigations continue, the discovery of the intact iPhone adds a unique dimension to the aftermath of the Alaska Airlines emergency, highlighting the device’s unexpected survival during a 16,000-foot fall.