Lawsuit Claims Seat Belt Saved Passenger's Life in Boeing 737 Blowout

Passengers aboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 jet that suffered a blowout in January are suing Boeing, Alaska Airlines, and Spirit AeroSystems, with one passenger claiming his life was saved by a seat belt as air rushed out of the aircraft. The lawsuit seeks damages for alleged negligence and failing to protect passengers from harm, following a preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board that revealed missing bolts in the door panel. Boeing, under increased scrutiny, has acknowledged a lack of records for work done on the door panel, and the Department of Justice has launched a criminal investigation into the incident.