Audio from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 as the pilot communicated with air traffic controllers reveals how she navigated 177 passengers and crew members to safety at Portland International Airport.

“We are in an emergency, we are depressurized, we do need to return back,” the pilot told air traffic control minutes after a door plug in the fuselage blew out, stripping a teenager of his shirt and terrifying passengers.

“So, you’re ready for the approach now?” an air traffic controller asked.

“We need about 10 minutes,” she responded.

“Roger,” the man responds. “Just let me know when you’re ready.”

“We’ll let you know.”

Federal officials are investigating what they have referred to as an “accident,” and have asked the public’s help locating the piece of the plane that they believe landed somewhere west of Portland, in or near the Cedar Hills neighborhood of Beaverton. The piece of fuselage was a plug for a part of the plane that could be converted into a door.

— Fedor Zarkhin of The Oregonian/OregonLive contributed to this report.