Friday, March 28, 2025
An Alaska Airlines flight traveling from Wrangell to Seattle declared an in-flight emergency on Sunday afternoon after experiencing a mechanical issue with the Boeing 737-700. The plane, which was en route on the Milk Run route—connecting multiple communities between Seattle and Juneau—faced a malfunction with its winglet flaps, which became stuck in the takeoff position.
The emergency occurred just 13 minutes after the plane left Wrangell. Upon reaching Ketchikan, the flight crew chose to loop around the airport before continuing to descend for an emergency landing at Ketchikan International Airport. The plane landed safely without incident, and the passengers were informed of the situation as the plane touched down.
Val Massie, a passenger on the 24-minute flight, recorded a communication from the pilot upon landing. “For precautionary reasons I did declare an emergency,” the pilot said over the intercom. “We’re not going to take this airplane to Seattle until it gets fixed. I suspect that’ll be quite a delay.” The pilot’s transparency reassured passengers, with Massie noting that she appreciated the candid update, even though it wasn’t the kind of information anyone wants to hear mid-flight.
After landing safely in Ketchikan, the plane was inspected by the airline’s maintenance team, which cleared the aircraft for a two-hour delay before allowing it to continue its journey to Seattle. Massie, feeling uneasy about the delay and the recent series of in-flight problems, opted to disembark and arrange a different flight to Seattle the following day. She expressed concern, referencing the string of aviation accidents, including the recent crashes involving commercial flights in Washington, D.C., and Alaska, both of which resulted in no survivors.
Alaska Airlines addressed the incident, confirming that the mechanical issue was resolved and the flight was cleared for the continuation of its journey after the delay. The airline spokesperson noted that safety remained the highest priority and that the airline works diligently to maintain its fleet to the highest standards of safety.
This event comes after a similar incident in January 2024, when an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 made a safe landing after a panel blew out of the fuselage while flying over Oregon. These incidents, while rare, have sparked concerns among passengers regarding the reliability of certain aircraft, particularly following recent accidents in the commercial aviation sector.
In light of this emergency landing, passengers are reminded of the importance of transparency in aviation, and the crucial role of pilots and maintenance teams in addressing in-flight issues to ensure passenger safety. Alaska Airlines continues to work closely with aviation authorities to uphold the highest safety standards.
