On October 11th, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-900ER, operating flight AS345 from John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), was forced to divert due to a cracked windshield on the flight deck. The aircraft departed Columbus at 09:06 local time and was over three hours into the flight when the crew made the decision to change course as a precautionary measure.

The incident occurred while the aircraft was cruising at an altitude of 36,000 feet (FL360), approximately 100 miles east of Missoula, Montana. The pilots of the Boeing 737-900ER, registered as N288AK, diverted to Missoula Montana Airport (MSO) and safely landed on Runway 29 at 10:52 local time. Thankfully, there were no injuries among the 163 passengers and six crew members onboard.

What Led to the Diversion of Alaska Airlines AS345?

At this stage, the exact cause of the cracked windshield is unknown, and the extent of the damage remains under investigation. According to Simple Flying, Flight 345 safely landed in Missoula after a crack appeared in the flight deck window. The triple-paned design of the windows ensured cabin pressure was maintained, and safety was not compromised.

Alaska Airlines in a statement to Simple Flying:

“Alaska Airlines Flight 345 flying from Columbus to Seattle landed safely in Missoula following a crack in the aircraft’s flight deck window. At no point was the safety of our guests or crew compromised. Alaska’s fleet is outfitted with triple-paned windows that have outer, middle, and inner panes. If an outer pane cracks, the other panes can maintain cabin pressure.”

This safety feature is designed to provide an additional level of protection, ensuring the aircraft can continue to operate safely even in the event of a windshield crack.

Alaska Airlines AS345 Delayed Arrival in Seattle

Following the diversion, passengers were eventually transported to their original destination, Seattle, via a replacement aircraft. The new Boeing 737-900ER, registered as N402AS, was dispatched to Missoula to continue the journey. However, the passengers faced a significant delay, as the replacement flight did not depart Missoula until 18:00 local time, arriving in Seattle at 18:04—nearly seven hours behind schedule.

The affected aircraft, N288AK, was grounded for inspections and repairs. This particular airframe was delivered to Alaska Airlines in May 2018 and began service the following month. According to data from ch-aviation, it has accumulated over 22,000 flight hours and 7,000 flight cycles since its introduction into the airline’s fleet.

Missoula Montana Airport’s Growth and Importance

Missoula Montana Airport (MSO), the site of the unscheduled landing, has experienced considerable growth in recent years. The airport serves 14 destinations within the United States and is home to six airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Frontier Airlines, and United Airlines. Among these, United Airlines leads in seat capacity, followed by Delta and Alaska.

The airport’s increasing popularity is evident in its passenger numbers. In 2023, Missoula Montana Airport set a new record, welcoming over 913,000 travelers, narrowly surpassing its previous high of 907,000 passengers in 2019. This growth marks a significant leap from 2010, when the airport handled fewer than 300,000 passengers. The momentum continued into 2024, with a 16% year-on-year increase in passenger numbers during the summer months, putting the airport on track for another record-breaking year.

Contributing to its growth is a $75 million terminal expansion, which was inaugurated in June 2022. The modernized terminal is part of a multi-phase project aimed at enhancing passenger experience. Phases two and three of the expansion, scheduled for completion by May 2025, will add more baggage claim areas and two additional passenger gates, further improving the airport’s capacity and amenities.

Passengers, although delayed, eventually made it to their destination.

Sources:

• Simple Flying
• Featured Image by: Adam Moreira