Boeing Faces Increased Pressure
Boeing, the renowned aircraft manufacturer, is facing additional scrutiny after a recent string of incidents involving its planes. The US Department of Justice has launched an investigation to assess whether the company has complied with previous agreements regarding the federal investigation into two fatal accidents involving the Boeing 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019.
In a statement, Alaska Airlines, one of Boeing’s clients, expressed their cooperation with the investigation, stating that it is normal for the US Department of Justice to conduct such inquiries and they do not believe they are the target of the investigation. The Wall Street Journal reported that investigators have been in contact with passengers and flight crew members of the flight in question.
The investigation aims to provide crucial information for the US Department of Justice to evaluate Boeing’s adherence to the prior settlement agreement. It also sheds light on the company’s role in the federal investigation related to the accidents involving the Boeing 737 MAX. According to the Seattle Times, Boeing’s leadership admitted in a letter to Senator Maria Cantwell that they were unable to locate records of work performed on the final assembly line of the 737 MAX in Renton, Washington. This work involved the opening and reinstallation of a piece of the aircraft’s body that is used to seal an available gap in the internal frame in case the airline chooses not to install an emergency exit door.
Boeing’s lack of cooperation during the investigation has come under criticism. Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), accused Boeing of not fully cooperating and failing to provide work records or the names of relevant personnel. During a hearing at the US Senate’s Commerce Committee, Maria Cantwell demanded a response from Boeing within 48 hours. The Seattle Times reported that Boeing’s response indicated a lack of stored records or their deletion.
These recent developments highlight a serious oversight and potential violation of manufacturing procedures. Moreover, the NTSB still does not have the names of the requested personnel related to the investigation. As a result, pressure on Boeing is increasing as the company faces multiple incidents involving its planes.
On March 8th, a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft operated by United Airlines slid off the runway and tilted to one side after landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. The incident, as reported by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), led to the emergency evacuation of 160 passengers. Both the NTSB and FAA are investigating this incident.
Just a day earlier, another United Airlines Boeing 777-200, carrying 249 passengers from San Francisco to Osaka, had to make an emergency landing at Los Angeles International Airport in California after losing one of its wheels mid-flight. The runway had to be briefly closed, and the fallen wheel damaged some airport vehicles in the parking lot. Additionally, on March 4th, a Boeing 737-900 aircraft from the same airline had to make an emergency landing at Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport after one of its engines exploded and caught fire in the skies above Texas.
These recent incidents raise concerns about Boeing’s commitment to safety and compliance with regulations. As investigations continue, the pressure on Boeing intensifies, and individuals and organizations eagerly await the outcomes to ensure the highest standards of safety in the aviation industry.
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