FAA Finds Multiple Problems with Boeing’s Production Practices Following Audit
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has recently conducted a six-week audit of Boeing’s production practices, which has revealed multiple issues. This audit was triggered by the door plug blowout incident that occurred on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 on January 5. The FAA has identified non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. However, specific details regarding these issues have not been provided by the FAA at this time.
This audit comes after a separate report was launched prior to the door plug incident, which highlighted “gaps” in Boeing’s safety culture. The report revealed a disconnect between management and employees, as well as fears among employees about retaliation for reporting safety concerns.
Boeing has been under scrutiny since the grounding of the 737 Max airplanes worldwide in March 2019 following two deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. The recent audit and separate report findings are expected to be incorporated into Boeing’s quality improvement plan. The FAA has given Boeing a 90-day deadline to produce this plan in order to address its quality issues.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun has acknowledged the need for improvement in the company’s quality controls. He stated, “Whatever final conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened… We simply must do better for our customers and their passengers.”
The audit also included Spirit AeroSystems, a major Boeing supplier responsible for building fuselages for the Boeing 737 Max 9 jet. The FAA found multiple instances where both Boeing and Spirit allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. Notably, Boeing is currently in negotiations to potentially re-acquire Spirit, which was spun off as a separate company in 2005.
The FAA audit involved more than two dozen inspectors who examined Boeing’s 737 plant in Renton, Washington. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker revealed this information during a congressional hearing last month. It is important to note that the FAA is not the only government body investigating Boeing’s quality issues.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation into the door plug blowout incident on the Alaska Air flight. A preliminary report revealed that four bolts necessary to hold the door plug in place were missing when the jet left Boeing’s factory in October. The NTSB has yet to assign blame for the missing bolts.
Additionally, the Justice Department is reviewing whether the deficiencies found in the wake of the door plug blowout violate a deferred prosecution agreement that Boeing signed with the government three years ago after the two fatal crashes involving the 737 Max. This investigation could potentially expose Boeing to criminal liability.
The final results of the FAA audit are expected to play a significant role in future congressional hearings that may hold Boeing accountable for its actions. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy will provide updates on the Alaska Flight 1282 investigation to the Senate committee overseeing aviation this Wednesday. Following these findings, hearings involving Boeing executives will be scheduled by the Senate Commerce Committee.
It is clear that Boeing’s production practices have come under intense scrutiny, and the company must take immediate action to address the identified issues. The safety of passengers and the reputation of Boeing are at stake, and it is crucial for the company to prioritize quality control and ensure compliance with safety regulations moving forward.