Almost two years after passengers screamed as sparks erupted down a runway during an Alaska Airlines flight’s landing, the reason has been identified.
A final report by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) released on Tuesday points to “incorrect” maintenance work.
The flight, departing from Seattle, Washington, made a forceful landing in Santa Ana, Calif., amidst Tropical Storm Hilary when the left main landing gear collapsed upon touchdown.
Video taken by a passenger showed the plane impacting the ground at high speed, with sparks visible as the aircraft seemed to drag its left wing along the tarmac.
Firefighters with the Orange County Fire Authority helped passengers deplane Alaska Airlines Flight 1288 on Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (Orange County Fire Authority)
The report added that the pin had endured more than 4,000 landing cycles since undergoing the 2018 maintenance work. The crack itself had likely been present for approximately 800 landing cycles, the NTSB found.
Although the aircraft sustained substantial damage from the hard landing, all 112 passengers and crew members were able to deplane safely and without injury.
Alaska Airlines Flight 1288 was forced to make a hard landing at John Wayne Airport in Orange County, California, amid Tropical Storm Hilary. (Orange County Fire Authority)
Alaska Airlines previously said, “our focus is taking care of our guests who were on board, including retrieving their checked bags.”
“We apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate their patience during this situation.”
Alaska Airlines did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
Fox News’ Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.
