FBI informs passengers who were on midair blowout flight that they are potential 'crime' victims

The FBI sent a letter to passengers on the Alaska Airlines flight that experienced a midair blowout earlier in January that they may be victims of a crime. 

“As a Victim Specialist with the Seattle Division, I’m contacting you because we have identified you as a possible victim of a crime,” the letter to the passengers reads, according to The Hill. 

More than 20 passengers who were on that flight are being represented by attorney Mark Lindquist, who told the outlet that his clients received the letter from the FBI. 

The Federal Aviation Administration opened a probe on aircraft manufacturer Boeing after a door plug on one of its commercial jets used by Alaska Airlines detached mid-flight, leaving a gaping hole in the fuselage. 

“This case is currently under investigation by the FBI,” the letter reads. “A criminal investigation can be a lengthy undertaking, and, for several reasons, we cannot tell you about its progress at this time. A victim of a federal crime is entitled to receive certain services. The enclosed brochure introduces you to the FBI’s Victim Assistance Program and the types of assistance that may be available to you.”

Lindquist described the Boeing plane that some of his clients were on as a "time bomb."

“A plane was delivered by Boeing to Alaska Airlines without four critical bolts, which means the plane was essentially a time bomb. This door plug could have blown off at any time,” he said during an interview with  “Fox and Friends” last month.