On Wednesday afternoon, January 8, 2025, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 was involved in a minor incident at one of Alaska’s major airports during a maintenance procedure. At approximately 1:43 p.m., two airline mechanics were in the process of repositioning the aircraft to a parking location when the plane veered off the taxiway, causing some damage to the aircraft.
Shannon McCarthy, the Communications Director for the Alaska Department of Transportation (DOT), confirmed that the incident was classified as a level-one occurrence, meaning it was considered a minor event with limited damage and no injuries. No passengers were aboard the plane at the time of the incident, and no one was reported to have been harmed.
The damage to the aircraft was deemed to be relatively minor, and it is not expected to have a major impact on Alaska Airlines’ operations. However, the situation has raised questions about the safety and protocols followed during maintenance procedures, especially in situations where aircraft are being repositioned. Such incidents, though categorized as minor, prompt further investigations to ensure that all safety measures are in place and adhered to by ground crew and airline mechanics.
Alaska Airlines has not yet issued a detailed statement about the event, but it is expected that the airline will work closely with the necessary authorities to review the circumstances of the incident and prevent similar occurrences in the future. The airline’s day-to-day operations are not expected to be significantly disrupted as a result of this minor mishap.
