Boeing is facing serious scrutiny after a midair cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January 2024. The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has criticized the company for not providing proper training and oversight, which contributed to the incident.
During a recent board meeting, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy pointed out that Boeing failed to install four crucial bolts during production. This oversight has raised significant concerns about the company’s safety culture. Homendy emphasized that the incident was preventable and that Boeing should have acted on safety issues identified in internal audits over the past decade. She noted, “It’s nothing short of a miracle that no one died or sustained serious physical injuries.”
The NTSB’s findings highlight deficiencies in Boeing’s on-the-job training programs. In response, Boeing is developing a design improvement to ensure that the door plug cannot be closed unless it is securely fastened. This incident has also prompted the U.S. Department of Justice to launch a criminal investigation, revealing that Boeing is not in compliance with a previous deferred prosecution agreement from 2021. Following the blowout, Boeing’s CEO Dave Calhoun announced he would resign within a few months.
Homendy commended Kelly Ortberg, the newly appointed CEO, but acknowledged the challenges he faces in restoring Boeing’s reputation and safety standards. Boeing expressed regret over the incident and is committed to enhancing safety and quality in its operations.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that it has fundamentally changed its oversight of Boeing since the accident. The FAA has implemented stricter monitoring to ensure that Boeing addresses its production quality issues. The incident led to a two-week grounding of the MAX 9 and a production cap of 38 planes per month, which remains in effect.
Boeing’s lack of documentation regarding the removal and reinstallation of the 737 MAX 9 door plug has raised further concerns. The NTSB reported that the company still does not know which employees were involved in these critical steps. Former FAA administrator Michael Whitaker acknowledged that the agency had been “too hands off” in its oversight and has since increased the number of inspectors at Boeing and its suppliers.
This is not the first time Boeing has faced legal challenges. The company pleaded guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge related to two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Recently, Boeing reached a deal with the Justice Department to avoid prosecution over these incidents.
As investigations continue, Boeing’s troubles have resurfaced with a separate crash involving an Air India flight shortly after takeoff, which killed nearly all on board. The aviation industry is watching closely as Boeing works to regain trust and ensure the safety of its aircraft.