Chip in paint causes flight to divert

SEATTLE – Alaska Airlines Flight 4 from Seattle to Washington, D.C., with Rep. Dave Reichert, R-Wash., on board made an unscheduled stop in Denver on Monday because of a nick in its paint, the airline said.

The airline learned of the 1-inch chip after the plane left Seattle and diverted it to Denver as a safety precaution, said Amanda Tobin Bielawski, Alaska Airlines spokeswoman.

The Boeing 737-800 with 160 passengers on board landed in Denver at 11:23 a.m. PDT and resumed its flight to Washington after being checked.

“There’s no damage to the aircraft,” Bielawski said.