The bad news for Boeing continues.
The airplane manufacturer’s troubles began in January when one of its planes, a 737 MAX, suffered a fuselage rupture mid-flight. The flight, Alaska Airlines 1282, was in the process of taking off from Portland, Oregon when a part of the plane’s hull suddenly blew out. The plane quickly routed back to the airport and landed without incident. While nobody was seriously injured as a result of the debacle, the incident kicked off what has become a months-long whirlwind of negative attention for the plane manufacturer. That whirlwind has included intensifying media scrutiny, a slew of additional safety incidents, and a National Transportation Safety Board investigation into flight 1282.
Two weeks ago, the company’s troubles doubled when it was reported that the Justice Department had formally launched a criminal investigation into flight 1282. At the time, Alaska Airlines waved off concerns, noting that in “an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation.” Days later, the New York Times reported that the DOJ was “widening” its criminal probe and was in the process of sending subpoenas related to a grand jury.
This week, it was revealed that the FBI has been sending letters to passengers of the Alaska flight that states they may have been victims “of a crime.” A copy of one of the letters was shared with NBC by Mark Lindquist, an attorney for some of the people who were on the flight. The letter, which was written by a victim specialist with the FBI’s Seattle division, says: “I’m contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime.” The letter also notes that the FBI is conducting a “criminal investigation,” which could take time to complete.
Gizmodo reached out to the Justice Department and Boeing for more information and will update this story when they respond.
Boeing’s troubles have multiplied in myriad, sometimes surprising ways. In addition to the ongoing safety concerns related to its aircraft, the company has suffered a maelstrom of online criticism due to the death of a corporate whistleblower, John Barnett. Barnett, who formerly criticized the company’s production and safety procedures, was dead at his motel two weeks ago. His death, which officials have said appears to be the result of suicide, has nonetheless spurred online conspiracy theories—due largely to the fact that Barnett was engaged in a whistleblower retaliation lawsuit against the company at the time of his death. Barnett’s family has accused Boeing of subjecting him to a “hostile work environment,” which they believe “led to his death.”