FAA is investigating Boeing following a 737 Max 9 incident

The Federal Aviation Administration announced Thursday that it had opened an investigation into whether Boeing failed to ensure its 737 Max 9 plane was safe and conformed to the agency’s approved design.

The FAA said the investigation stemmed from the loss of a fuselage panel from an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 plane shortly after it took off from Portland, Oregon, leaving a hole in the side of the passenger cabin. The plane returned to Portland to make an emergency landing.

“This incident should not have happened and it cannot happen again,” the agency said.

This is a development story. Check back for updates.