MMore than two months after the Boeing 737 MAX made an emergency landing due to a broken fuselage, the FBI, the US federal police investigating the incident, told passengers they may have been the victims of a crime, according to media reports. “I am reaching out to you because we have identified you as a possible crime victim,” the FBI said in a letter to passengers Friday, according to the Seattle Times.

A criminal investigation can be a long affair, they said. “For various reasons, we are unable to update you at this time,” the US official said.

Part of the cabin wall of an Alaska Airlines plane blew off shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon on Jan. 5. The plane then had to turn around and make an emergency landing in Portland. Although no one was injured in the incident, experts say it could have ended in disaster.

According to the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NTSB), the necessary fasteners were not available. According to the NTSB's preliminary investigation, several bolts were missing from the damaged part of the plane.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered a temporary ban on these types of flights. 171 aircraft were affected. Later, the first of them flew again. The FAA also barred Boeing from expanding production of MAX planes starting next year or 2026.