A year after a panel on a Boeing 737 Max flew off during a flight, the nation’s top aviation official says a “fundamental culture shift” is needed for the company to prioritize safety and quality over profits. said.
Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker said in an online post Friday that the agency has more work to do regarding Boeing’s oversight.
Whitaker, who plans to resign in two weeks to allow President-elect Donald Trump to personally appoint him as FAA administrator, announced last January that he would ground all 737 Max planes equipped with similar panels called door plugs. I reflected on my decision. The FAA then required Boeing to hire more inspectors at Boeing factories, limit production of the new 737 aircraft and come up with a plan to fix manufacturing problems.
“Boeing is committed to moving forward with implementing a comprehensive plan in the areas of safety, quality improvement, and effective employee engagement and training,” Whitaker said. “But this is not a one-year project. What is needed is a fundamental shift in Boeing’s culture that values safety and quality over profits. And we need unwavering oversight on our part.”
Boeing on Friday released an update on steps it has taken to improve safety and quality, including addressing concerns raised by employees and increasing confidentiality.
Boeing, which was unable to build new 737s due to a seven-week strike by machinists last fall, said it has stepped up training for mechanics and quality inspectors. The company announced that it has updated its system for displaying the names of employees performing metal stamping work.
The company also said there had been a “significant reduction in defects” in the 737 aircraft produced by Spirit AeroSystems, but declined to provide numbers. Spirit is a major supplier that Boeing is considering acquiring for $4.7 billion.
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to investigate the explosion of a door plug on an Alaska Airlines Max plane. Despite the large hole in the side, the pilot landed the plane safely in Portland, Oregon, and no serious injuries were reported.
A month after the accident, investigators said in a preliminary report that bolts used to secure the panels were not replaced after work at Boeing’s factory.
Whitaker said the FAA will consider recommendations made by the safety committee to improve the agency’s oversight practices. Last summer, he acknowledged that the FAA’s oversight of Boeing was insufficient.