Aviation expert Peter Rehm discussed reports on the Evening Edit that an Alaska Airlines jet was missing several bolts when it left a Boeing factory.
A panel of experts appointed to investigate Boeing’s safety management processes found a “disconnect” between the aerospace giant’s management and employees regarding safety culture and other issues.
The commission was appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) under legislation passed by Congress in response to the two fatal crashes. Boeing 737 Max Crashes in 2018 and 2019 killed 346 people in Indonesia and Ethiopia, respectively. Work on the panel began in early 2023, nearly a year before the recent accident in which a plug door panel was lost during a Boeing 737 Max 9 flight.
The report criticized Boeing safety culture It found “a lack of awareness of safety-related indicators at all levels of the organization” and cited “inadequate and confusing implementation of the components of a positive safety culture”.
It also cited serious quality issues that have surfaced in the public domain since 2023, with the committee finding that recent issues such as the door plug explosion have resulted in “a lack of safety-related messages and actions being implemented across the country.” “This amplifies the concerns of the expert committee.” Boeing’s total population. ”
Boeing suspends operations due to 737 MAX door plug failure
The report called Boeing’s implementation of safety procedures “inadequate and confusing.” (David Ryder/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
The report said Boeing must review the committee’s findings and “develop a plan of action” to address the concerns raised within six months.
Boeing said in a statement to FOX Business: “We transparently support the committee’s review and appreciate its efforts. We are committed to a safety culture that enables and encourages all employees to share their views. “We have taken important steps to foster this, but there is more to do.” ”
“We will carefully consider the panel’s evaluation and learn from its findings as we continue our comprehensive efforts to improve our safety and quality programs,” Boeing’s statement continued.
Boeing will stabilize 737 production later this year, executive says
The FAA committee report found a rift between Boeing employees and senior management regarding safety processes. (Logan Cyrus/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun recently spoke with the company’s employees and tried to emphasize the need to focus on quality and alert them if problems occur during the manufacturing process.
“I ask all of my teammates to speak up and speak out as we continue to focus on every detail from a safety and quality-first perspective,” he said. “Employees on the factory floor know better than anyone what they have to do to improve.”
CLICK HERE TO GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO
“We all need to constantly encourage team members who ask for feedback, understand how we can help, and raise issues that need to be addressed. We will take the time to get it right,” Calhoun added.
Reuters contributed to this report.
