Third Bridge head of global analysts Peter McNally discusses how the strike by Boeing factory workers is impacting the business, on ‘The Big Money Show.’
It’s been a year since a cabin door plug blew an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX out of the air, and Boeing is doing better. Still, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration asserted that more work is still needed.
Despite the attack on the principles of improving Boeing’s oversight, 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 focuses on safety and quality over profit. That will require continued effort and commitment from Boeing, and our unwavering scrutiny,” Whitaker wrote.
Investigators found that four lock bolts were missing from the door plug of the Boeing 737 Max 9 plane when it took off from Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5, 2024. A panel exploded at 16,000 feet, causing the cabin to depressurize. before the plane returned safely Portland International Airport.
BOEING WHISTLEBLOWER JOHN BARNETT INVESTIGATED, HARASSED BY MANAGERS, LEGAL DISPUTES.
In short order, Whitaker issued an emergency aviation order, temporarily grounding all MAX aircraft built with this type of plug door. The FAA then issued an “unprecedented series of actions that changed the way we treat Boeing,” Whitaker said Friday.
Since this incident happened, Whitaker said that many inspectors have been installed on the factory floors, and the production rate of the 737 Max has decreased. But “most importantly, we needed Boeing to come up with a comprehensive plan to fix its manufacturing quality problems,” Whitaker continued.
Boeing’s largest single-aisle jet has landed in Iceland on its way to the Farnborough International Airshow. (Boeing)
In addition to numerous meetings with Boeing leadership at the FAA offices in Washington, Whitaker “visited Boeing facilities several times in 2024 to interact directly with their employees and get their feedback on the company’s policies and safety culture.”
Whitaker also said he “discussed the importance of the whistleblowing program with Boeing management and ensured that FAA safety call information was shared with all Boeing employees.”
BOEING NEEDS TO FOCUS ON SAFETY AND FACTS AFTER INCIDENTS, FAA SAYS
However, in March 2024, a The Boeing whistleblower 62-year-old John Barnett was found dead after raising concerns about quality control problems 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 alleged led to his “constructive discharge” in March 2017 and was seeking damages including back pay, lost earnings and emotional distress.
Boeing’s 737 MAX-9 is pictured under construction at its production facility in Renton, Washington, US, February 13, 2017. Photo taken on February 13, 2017. (Reuters Photos/Jason Redmond / Reuters)
Still, Whitaker said, because of the company’s work, “it received an increase in employee safety reports last year.”
Whitaker said Boeing continues to implement its comprehensive plan in the areas of safety, quality improvement and effective employee engagement and training and that the FAA is closely monitoring the results and “closely monitoring work at Boeing’s key facilities.”
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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 management to monitor progress.
After a recent machinist strike halted production, FAA inspectors remained at the factory and focused on issues such as training and making sure planes were safely maintained, he said.
Still, 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.”
| A ticker | Security | Finally | Change | change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BA | This company BOEING CO. | 169.90 | -1.98 |
-1.15% |
It will continue to review any recommendations from the NTSB and other agencies, including the Office of the Inspector General, to improve its internal processes.
“Our goal is to build the most powerful monitoring systems that enable us to anticipate and identify risks before they happen,” Whitaker said.
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