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An Alaska Airlines flight has been forced to make an emergency landing after a large panel on the side of the plane was sucked out.

The incident caused a rapid decompression of the cabin, although it’s understood oxygen masks were deployed.

The plane had to return to Portland 35 minutes into its flight to California when trouble struck.

Alaska Airlines confirmed 174 passengers and six crew members were on the flight.

The airline’s Chief Executive said their fleet of Boeing 737-9 aircraft will be temporarily grounded and returned to service after full maintenance and safety inspections, which the airline is anticipating they will complete within days.