FAA gives Boeing 90 days to develop plan to address ‘systemic quality-control issues’

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has ordered Boeing to develop a plan to address “systemic quality control” issues within the next 90 days, following the findings of an audit and panel of experts on the aircraft manufacturer. commanded.

The plan is expected to ensure the company meets the FAA’s “non-negotiable safety standards,” officials said. he wrote in a statement Wednesday..

“Boeing needs to commit to real fundamental improvements,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said after speaking with Boeing CEO and President David Calhoun on Tuesday. “Making fundamental change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we will hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutual understanding of milestones and expectations. .”

Calhoun said in a statement to The Hill that Boeing has “a clear understanding” of the steps needed going forward.

The aircraft maker has faced increased scrutiny this year after a mid-air explosion of a Boeing 737 Max 9 plane in early January. During an Alaska Airlines flight, a door plug blew off the side of the plane, leaving a hole. The plane made an emergency landing at Portland International Airport, but no one was seriously injured.

However, the company is facing numerous lawsuits from passengers and shareholders over the incident.

“Boeing will develop a comprehensive action plan with measurable standards that demonstrate the significant changes required by Secretary Whitaker and the FAA. Boeing’s leadership team is fully committed to this challenge,” Calhoun said Wednesday. Told.

The FAA has been leading an investigation into Boeing since the January explosion to ensure its planes comply with the agency’s safety regulations. This included an audit of the 737 Max 9 production line and suppliers after an estimated 171 aircraft models were grounded the day after the incident.

Many of these plans have since gone through an FAA-approved inspection and maintenance process and returned to service.

The order from the FAA is Expert committee reportThe report, released on Monday, found a “disconnect” between the manufacturer’s senior management and the rest of the organization regarding safety culture.

The report comes after lawmakers passed a bill in 2020 that would change how the FAA inspects new aircraft following two fatal crashes involving Boeing Max jets in 2018 and 2019. ordered in the year. The crash killed 346 people.

The agency said Wednesday that Boeing’s plans include improving its Safety Management System (SMS) program, which the company worked on in 2019, and integrating it with its quality management system to create “a measurable, systematic approach to manufacturing quality control.” It’s a big change.”