A year ago, a panel blew out of a Boeing 737 Max during a flight, causing widespread concern and raising questions about the safety and quality of the aircraft. Now, the nation’s top aviation regulator, Mike Whitaker, has spoken out about the need for a “fundamental cultural shift” at Boeing to prioritize safety and quality over profits.
In an online post on Friday, Whitaker, who is set to step down in two weeks, reflected on his decision last January to ground all 737 Max jets with similar panels, known as door plugs. He also acknowledged that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has more work to do in its oversight of Boeing.
According to Whitaker, Boeing is making progress in executing its comprehensive plan to improve safety, quality, and employee engagement and training. However, he emphasized that this is not a one-year project and that a sustained effort and commitment from Boeing, along with unwavering scrutiny from the FAA, is necessary to bring about a fundamental cultural shift at the company.
In response to Whitaker’s statement, Boeing issued an update on the steps it has taken to address safety and quality concerns. This includes addressing employee concerns and reinforcing their confidentiality protection. The company also stated that it has strengthened training for mechanics and quality inspectors and updated a system to display the names of employees who perform metal-stamping work.
Boeing also reported a significant reduction in defects in 737 fuselages built by Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier that Boeing is in the process of acquiring for $4.7 billion. However, the company did not provide specific numbers.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is still investigating the door-plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Max jet. Despite the alarming incident, the pilots were able to safely land the plane in Portland, Oregon, and no serious injuries were reported. In a preliminary report released a month after the accident, investigators found that bolts used to secure the panel were not replaced after work in a Boeing factory.
Whitaker also stated that the FAA will carefully review any recommendations made by the NTSB to improve its oversight work. Last summer, he admitted that the FAA’s scrutiny of Boeing was not up to par.
The need for a cultural shift at Boeing is crucial, as the company has faced several setbacks in recent years. In addition to the door-plug incident, Boeing has also been under scrutiny for the two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max aircraft in 2018 and 2019. These tragedies resulted in the grounding of all 737 Max jets worldwide and a significant blow to the company’s reputation.
It is encouraging to see that Boeing is taking steps to address safety and quality concerns, and it is reassuring to know that the FAA is closely monitoring the situation. However, it is clear that more needs to be done to ensure that safety and quality are always the top priorities at Boeing.
As Whitaker stated, this is not a one-year project, and it will require sustained effort and commitment from Boeing. It is essential for the company to continue to prioritize safety and quality above profits, and for the FAA to maintain its vigilant oversight. Only then can we be confident in the safety of Boeing’s aircraft and the well-being of its passengers.
In conclusion, a year after the door-plug incident, it is evident that both Boeing and the FAA have work to do to improve safety and quality. However, with a fundamental cultural shift at Boeing and continued scrutiny from the FAA, we can hope for a brighter and safer future for the aviation industry. Let us all work together to make this a reality.
