Boeing CEO Visits Spirit AeroSystems to Improve Collaboration Amid Investigations
In a bid to improve collaboration and address ongoing investigations, Boeing’s CEO, David Calhoun, paid a visit to Spirit AeroSystems’ headquarters and factory in Wichita, Kansas. The two companies have vowed to work together to rectify the issues at hand. This visit comes at a crucial time as separate investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are still in their early stages.
During a briefing with members of the Senate Commerce Committee in Washington, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker and NTSB representative Homendy shed some light on the ongoing investigations. While they refrained from commenting on any penalties or enforcement measures, Senator Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, expressed confidence that there would be consequences once the investigations reach their conclusion.
Whitaker also highlighted that the FAA is focusing on the challenges Boeing has faced over a longer period of time, with the recent incident being just one component. The briefing also addressed concerns regarding the FAA’s oversight and its ability to carry out its responsibilities effectively.
Meanwhile, Boeing’s CEO, David Calhoun, visited Spirit AeroSystems’ Wichita factory, which is responsible for assembling a significant part of the fuselage on Boeing Max jets. It was this part that came off an Alaska Airlines jetliner, leading to an emergency landing. Calhoun and Spirit CEO Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive and acting US defense secretary, held a town hall meeting with around 200 Spirit employees.
During the meeting, Calhoun expressed his commitment to improvement, stating that both Boeing and Spirit will learn from this incident and apply those lessons to all their future endeavors. Shanahan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with the NTSB, FAA, airlines, and Boeing to restore confidence in their work.
The incident involving an Alaska Airlines Max 9 jet, which had to make an emergency landing after a door plug blew out, prompted investigations by the NTSB and the FAA. Both agencies are examining the quality-control procedures followed by Boeing and its suppliers. In the aftermath of the incident, Alaska and United Airlines, the only other US carriers operating the Max 9, discovered loose hardware in door plugs of other planes during inspections. As a result, both airlines have grounded their Max 9s, leading to the cancellation of numerous flights.
Boeing’s stock has taken a hit since the incident, dropping by 18 percent and making it the worst performer in the Dow Jones Industrial Average during this period. However, on Wednesday, the company’s shares gained 1 percent, indicating some recovery.
As investigations continue, it is clear that both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems are committed to addressing the issues at hand and ensuring that such incidents do not occur in the future. The collaboration between these two companies, along with the involvement of regulatory bodies and airlines, will play a crucial role in restoring confidence in the safety and quality of Boeing aircraft.
