The head of Boeing, Dave Calhoun, is set to testify before lawmakers in Washington regarding the recent incident in which a panel broke off from one of the company’s planes. This comes as pressure mounts on Boeing to explain the mistakes that led to the mishap. Calhoun has expressed his willingness to share all relevant information but declined to comment on a report suggesting that the part was improperly installed at one of Boeing’s plants.
According to an anonymous account posted online and reported by the Seattle Times, a worker at Boeing described the production of the company’s 737 planes as a “disaster waiting to happen.” The whistleblower alleged that the four bolts meant to hold the door plug in place were not installed when Boeing delivered the 737 Max 9 plane to Alaska Airlines. Just eight weeks later, the panel blew off shortly after take-off, causing an emergency return to the airport.
While there were no serious injuries reported, customers affected by the incident have filed lawsuits against the company, accusing them of negligence. In response, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has grounded 171 other 737 Max 9 planes with similar designs, leading to the cancellation of thousands of flights. The FAA has also recommended inspections of Boeing’s older 737-900ER models, which use the same door design as the Max 9s.
The whistleblower’s account further claimed that Boeing should have halted 737 manufacturing due to numerous issues surfacing during inspections. It stated that in the case of this particular plane, Boeing and Spirit staff at a factory in Washington worked to identify and repair issues before delivery. The whistleblower alleged that the bolts were removed during this process, and a final inspection of the door never occurred due to breakdowns in communication, partly attributed to Boeing’s use of two different computer systems for reporting and sign-off.
Although Boeing staff reportedly removed the bolts, Calhoun referred questions to the National Transportation Safety Board, which is currently investigating the incident. Airline leaders, including those from Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, have expressed frustration with Boeing as the groundings create chaos and additional costs. Ben Minicucci, CEO of Alaska Airlines, stated that there is “no doubt” the plane came off the production line with a faulty door, and subsequent inspections revealed many loose bolts.
The incident has further damaged Boeing’s reputation among both airline customers and the general public. The company’s previous fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019 had already shaken public confidence, resulting in a surge of searches from users trying to avoid Boeing 737 Max planes, according to online travel agent Kayak.
Calhoun acknowledged the seriousness of the concerns and emphasized the company’s commitment to flying safe planes. He stated that Boeing does not put planes in the air without 100% confidence. Nevertheless, the incident has brought attention to other issues on Boeing planes, such as the recent incident in which the nose wheel of a different model, a 757, popped off during takeoff. Although no injuries were reported, investigations by the FAA and Delta Air Lines into the incident are ongoing.
Boeing has taken immediate actions to strengthen quality control, including more inspections, following the mishap with the Max 9 planes. The company has also appointed a retired US Navy admiral to lead a comprehensive quality review of its commercial aeroplane operation.
The ongoing situation with the Max 9s is causing financial losses for United Airlines, and the US government has launched an investigation into Boeing’s practices after the recent incidents. In light of these developments, it is crucial for Boeing to address the concerns raised, restore confidence among airline customers and the general public, and implement rigorous quality control measures to prevent future mishaps.
