A Japanese domestic Boeing 737 was diverted mid-flight and returned to its departure airport on Saturday after cracks were observed in the cockpit window, according to multiple reports.

All Nippon Airways (ANA) Flight 1182 was flying over Hakodate on its way to Toyama Airport when it noticed a crack on the outermost side of the four-layer cockpit window, and the aircraft was diverted to New Chitose Airport in Sapporo. Turn Back, British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) report. No injuries were reported among the 59 passengers and six crew members.

“The cracks did not affect flight control or pressurization,” an ANA spokesperson said, according to the BBC.

The plane reportedly landed safely in Sapporo and passengers were transferred to alternative flights.

The cause of the crack is not yet clear, but the accident was not unusual, aviation expert John Strickland told the BBC. “These things happen every once in a while. Maybe something hit the window, like a bird or large hail. It's not unheard of,” he was quoted as saying. “Wear and tear can sometimes lead to stress fractures, but that's very rare.” (Related: Biden administration launches investigation into Boeing following incident onboard Alaska flight)

Japan's Nippon Airways flight was forced to return to its departure airport after the pilot spotted a crack in the cockpit window of a Boeing 737-800 mid-air.https://t.co/QcyBjpSvfX

— DW News (@dwnews) January 13, 2024

The incident occurred 11 days after the Japan Airlines crash at Tokyo's Haneda Airport. Airbus A350 A plug-in passenger door fell off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX-9 during a flight on January 5, eight days after a mid-air collision with a Coast Guard aircraft on January 2.

According to ANA Flight 1182 was a Boeing 737-800, not a Boeing 737 MAX-9. Reuters. Nevertheless, Boeing faced increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and aviation in general after loose bolts and nuts were discovered on some of its 737s before and after the Alaska Airlines incident. exposed to

Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun tearfully praised the Alaska Airlines crew's handling of the incident, acknowledged “our mistakes” and called for full transparency, accountability and safety. Ta. During the webcast on January 9th.

According to reports, the FAA grounded all Boeing 737 MAX aircraft with plug doors on January 6th and began an investigation into Boeing's compliance with FAA standards on January 12th. FAA statement.