Lawmakers say Boeing avoided accountability over economic concerns

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) argued Wednesday that the “lack of accountability” against Boeing is motivated by fears of economic fallout.

Johnson, ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security subcommittee in charge of the investigation, said many Americans rely on Boeing planes for travel, and concerns about the economic impact collide with safety concerns. , said the company’s mistakes were creating a “terrifying reality”.

“It goes back to the reality that we all want Boeing to succeed,” Johnson said. “We don’t want to think that there’s a situation with these planes that would really force regulators to ground the planes. What would that mean for our economy? How would it affect people’s lives? Will it have any impact?”

“I think that’s what’s causing the lack of accountability,” the Wisconsin senator added. “People don’t want to be held accountable, because people don’t want to take the actions that might be needed here.”

Boeing has come under increased scrutiny from lawmakers after its 737 Max models were involved in multiple crashes and safety issues. In 2018 and 2019, two Boeing 737 Max planes crashed, killing 346 people, and in January, a door plug on a Boeing jet fell off shortly after takeoff.

Sean Pulcznicki, an assistant professor of integrated systems engineering and aviation research at Ohio State University, told lawmakers that Boeing deliberately concealed new systems and safety concerns during the testing process in favor of profits.

“It was all about money,” Pulcznicki said. “It was all about getting the plane southwest, and it was all about money. That’s why those guys died.”

Johnson said Boeing’s actions were “beyond negligence” and criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Justice Department for not doing enough.

“This is a blatant act,” Johnson said. “And no one is being held accountable in any way, whether it’s financially, job loss, criminal charges, whatever.”

Ed Pearson, executive director of the Aviation Safety Foundation and a former Boeing manager, said government agencies such as the FAA and the Department of Transportation are a big part of the lack of change.

“Government agencies have been lazy and complacent and have been reacting to a worsening situation for several years now,” Pearson said.

“If government officials had done their job properly, investigators would have uncovered a trove of important information about the two crashes and taken action before Boeing builds 1,000 more potentially defective planes. We could have woken him up,” Pearson said.

Johnson said lawmakers need to interview pilots and airlines and thoroughly investigate Boeing. But Johnson said the government would also like to hear from government officials to see where there are potential shortcomings.

“We need more information,” Johnson said. “We need people coming forward from all sides.”