Third Bridge chief analyst Peter McNally discusses how the Boeing factory workers’ strike is affecting business on ‘The Big Money Show’.
It’s been a year since a cabin door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX mid-air, and Boeing is making improvements. However, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration asserted that more work is needed.
Despite an onslaught of protocols to improve oversight of Boeing operations, Mike Whitaker, who will step down later this month, said in a blog post that “this is not a one-year project.”
“What is needed is a fundamental cultural change at Boeing that is oriented around safety and quality over profits. This will require continued effort and commitment from Boeing and unwavering scrutiny on our part,” Whitaker wrote.
Investigators found that four key bolts were missing from the door panel of the Boeing 737 Max 9 when it took off from Portland, Oregon, on January 5, 2024. The panel exploded at 16,000 feet, pressurizing the cabin before the flight turned around. safe in Portland International Airport.
BOEING Whistleblower JOHN BARNETT SPYED ON, HARASSED BY MANAGERS, LAWSUIT CLAIMS
In short order, Whitaker issued an emergency airworthiness directive, temporarily grounding all MAX aircraft built with this type of outlet door. The FAA then issued an “unprecedented series of steps that dramatically transformed the way we oversee Boeing,” Whitaker said Friday.
Since the incident, Whitaker said more inspectors have been deployed on factory floors and production levels have been limited for the 737 Max. But “more importantly, we asked Boeing to develop a comprehensive plan to fix its systemic manufacturing quality problems,” Whitaker continued.
Boeing’s largest single-aisle aircraft arriving in Iceland on its way to the Farnborough International Exhibition. (Boeing)
In addition to numerous meetings with Boeing leadership at FAA offices in Washington, Whitaker “visited Boeing facilities several times in 2024 to engage directly with their workforce and obtain their feedback on company policies and culture.” security”.
Whitaker also said he “communicated the importance of a robust whistleblowing program with Boeing’s CEO and ensured that the independent FAA safety hotline information was shared with all Boeing employees.”
BOEING MUST FOCUS ON SAFETY, QUALITY AFTER INCIDENTS, FAA CHIEF SAYS
However, in March 2024, a Boeing Whistleblower Johm Barnett, 62, was found dead after raising concerns about quality control issues at his former company.
The Charleston County Coroner’s Office told Fox News Digital that Barnett died of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Before his death, Barnett was taking legal action against Boeing over actions he claimed led to his “constructive dismissal” in March 2017 and was seeking damages including back pay, lost benefits and emotional distress.
The Boeing 737 MAX-9 is pictured under construction at their production facility in Renton, Washington, US, February 13, 2017. Photo taken on February 13, 2017. (Reuters/Jason Redmond/Reuters Photos)
However, Whitaker said that as a result of the company’s work, it “received an increase in employee safety reports over the past year.”
Whitaker said Boeing is continuing to execute its comprehensive plan in the areas of safety, quality improvement and effective employee engagement and training, and that the FAA is actively monitoring results and “keeping a close eye on work at key facilities.” Boeing”.
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Whitaker said the FAA has conducted an unprecedented number of unannounced audits and continues to conduct monthly status reviews with Boeing executives to monitor progress.
After the latest machinist strike halted production, FAA inspectors remained at the plant and focused on issues such as training and making sure the planes were safely maintained, he said.
However, the FAA is “looking at all aspects” of its oversight and said it will “continue to support the NTSB’s investigation into the door plug accident.”
| TICKER | Safety | The last one | AmENdmENT | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA | BOEING CO. | 169.90 | -1.98 |
-1.15% |
It will continue to review any recommendations from the NTSB, as well as other parties, including the Office of the Inspector General, to improve its internal processes.
“Our goal is to develop even more dynamic surveillance protocols that enable us to predict and identify risks before incidents occur,” Whitaker added.
