May 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Securities and Exchange

Commission is investigating statements made by Boeing Co. ( BA )

about its safety practices after a panel blew out mid-air on a

737 MAX flight operated by Alaska Airlines in January, Bloomberg

Law reported on Thursday.

The SEC will look into whether the planemaker or its

executives misled investors, in violation of the Wall Street

regulator's rules, the report said, citing three people familiar

with the development.

Boeing ( BA ) declined a Reuters request for comment, while the

SEC did not immediately respond.