An iPhone survived a 16,000-foot drop after an emergency aboard an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX last January 6, 2024. The aircraft, which had departed from Portland International Airport with 177 passengers, was forced to make an emergency landing in Oregon due to a door blowing open mid-air.
Seanathan Bates, a pedestrian on Barnes Road, found the iPhone with its in-flight mode still activated. Bates shared photos of the intact phone, which was in a protective case, on the social media platform X. He humorously noted that the phone was still in airplane mode and displaying a baggage claim for Alaska Airlines Flight ASA1282.
Found an iPhone on the side of the road… Still in airplane mode with half a battery and open to a baggage claim for #AlaskaAirlines ASA1282 Survived a 16,000 foot drop perfectly in tact!
— Seanathan Bates (@SeanSafyre) January 7, 2024
When I called it in, Zoe at @NTSB said it was the SECOND phone to be found. No door yet😅 pic.twitter.com/CObMikpuFd
The model of the iPhone remains unconfirmed, with speculations ranging between an iPhone 14 Pro and an iPhone 15 Pro. Remarkably, the phone appeared to be in perfect condition despite its high-altitude fall.
Bates’ post quickly went viral, garnering 6.6 million views and 41,000 likes. Social media users expressed amazement, with comments ranging from humorous to awe-struck. Some joked about the device’s unexpected durability, comparing it to the once-popular ‘indestructible’ Nokia 3310, while others saw potential for a unique Apple advertising campaign.
The incident with Alaska Flight 1282, which experienced a pressurization issue leading to the panel blowout, resulted in no major injuries. However, it has prompted global safety concerns. In response, airlines and safety bodies have grounded certain models of the Boeing 737 MAX 9, with the Federal Aviation Administration mandating immediate inspections before these aircraft can resume flights.
