A Washington federal judge has ruled that he will not revisit his earlier decision to dismiss a mother and son's request for punitive damages in their negligence lawsuit against Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems. The case stems from a 737 Max door plug blowout that occurred on an Alaska Airlines flight.
The ruling came on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, when the judge stated he would not reconsider the decision that stripped the plaintiffs of their bid for punitive damages. The lawsuit alleges negligence on the part of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems following the door plug incident.
The plaintiffs had sought punitive damages as part of their legal action, but the judge's decision effectively ends that possibility. The case highlights ongoing legal challenges faced by Boeing related to the safety and reliability of its 737 Max aircraft.