Washington | US authorities have appealed for public help as they begin a daylight search near Portland, Oregon, on Sunday (Monday AEDT) for a missing panel that blew off a new Boeing 737 Max 9 jet during a flight on Friday, as operators worldwide ground many of the aircraft for safety checks.

The so-called door plug tore off the left side of an Alaska Airlines jet following take-off from Portland en route to Ontario, California, forcing pilots to turn back and land safely with all 171 passengers and six crew on board. Only a few minor injuries were reported.

Reuters