Alaska Airlines Pilot Who Safely Landed Jet After Door Blowout Sues Boeing, Claims He Was ‘Scapegoat’

The Alaska Airlines pilot credited with safely landing a jet after a midair cabin panel blowout is suing aircraft manufacturer Boeing, alleging the company attempted to shift blame for the incident onto him, as reported by The New York Post.

Capt. Brandon Fisher filed the lawsuit on Dec. 30 in Oregon, seeking $10 million in damages. According to the complaint, Boeing attempted to make Fisher a “scapegoat” following the emergency involving Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 earlier this year.

The lawsuit centers on the Jan. 5, 2024, incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines. The aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing shortly after departing Portland, Oregon, when a cabin door plug blew out mid-flight.

The captain of the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX whose door plug separated in flight has filed a $10 million suit against Boeing alleging the manufacturer tried to blame the crew for damages alleged by passengers on the flight.

Captain Brandon Fisher’s lawsuit, filed on… pic.twitter.com/AzErdt2Ur7

— Breaking Aviation News & Videos (@aviationbrk) January 5, 2026

All 177 people on board survived, and the flight crew was widely credited with safely handling the emergency.

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In June, the National Transportation Safety Board concluded that “multiple system failures” by Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration contributed to the incident.

Despite those findings, Fisher’s lawsuit alleges Boeing attempted to deny responsibility while defending a related class-action lawsuit.

According to the complaint, Boeing argued its products were “improperly maintained or misused by persons and/or entities other than Boeing.”

“Boeing knew this statement was false at the time it was made, but made it anyway as part of its often-used post-accident strategy to blame pilots for incidents caused solely by its own actions,” the lawsuit alleges.

“It was clear Boeing’s words were directed at Captain Fisher in attempt to paint him as the scapegoat for Boeing’s numerous failures,” the filing states.

Fisher claims Boeing’s statements caused him emotional distress and worsened the personal impact of the incident. According to the lawsuit, Boeing’s remarks “dramatically exacerbated the life-changing impacts” of the emergency on the pilot.

The legal action follows additional lawsuits connected to the same flight.

In August, four flight attendants who were working aboard Flight 1282 filed separate lawsuits against Boeing, alleging physical and emotional injuries related to the midair blowout, according to Reuters.

Aviation officials and Boeing executives have previously praised the Flight 1282 crew for their actions during the emergency, citing their professionalism in ensuring the aircraft landed safely with no loss of life.

In a statement to FOX Business, a Boeing spokesperson said the company continues to implement a “comprehensive safety and quality plan” developed with employee input and regulatory oversight.

“In the past two years, we’ve taken a disciplined look at every facet of our production operations,” the spokesperson said.

“We developed a comprehensive plan to strengthen Boeing’s safety management, quality assurance, and safety culture — and we are seeing the benefits of these actions.”

Alaska Airlines told FOX Business it had no comment on Fisher’s lawsuit but again praised the crew of Flight 1282 for their “bravery and quick-thinking” in keeping everyone on board safe.

Fisher’s attorneys, William Walsh and Richard Mummolo, did not immediately respond to FOX Business’ request for comment. FOX Business reporter Bonny Chu contributed to the report.

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