US Prosecutors Launch Criminal Investigation into Boeing 737 MAX Blowout Incident
In a recent development, US prosecutors have initiated a criminal investigation into the blowout incident involving a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines. This investigation comes at a time when Boeing’s safety record is under intense scrutiny following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019. The Department of Justice (DOJ) has already begun interviewing witnesses, including aircrew, as part of their probe into the mid-flight incident that occurred on January 5.
Alaska Airlines has assured full cooperation with the authorities during the investigation. In a statement to Al Jazeera, the airline stated, “In an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation. We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.” On the other hand, Boeing has chosen to remain silent on the matter.
This criminal investigation holds significant implications for Boeing, as it will contribute to the assessment of whether the company has complied with the terms of a $2.5 billion settlement aimed at avoiding prosecution in relation to the previous crashes. The Wall Street Journal reported that the DOJ probe will play a crucial role in determining Boeing’s adherence to safety standards.
Adding to Boeing’s woes, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently conducted an audit of the company, which revealed “non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control.” The FAA has given Boeing a 90-day deadline to come up with a plan to rectify these issues. This audit included interviews with employees and a visit to Boeing’s production line.
Moreover, a separate report released by the FAA last month, prior to the blowout incident, highlighted serious concerns about Boeing’s safety culture. The report revealed fears of retaliation among employees who raised safety concerns. These findings further raise questions about Boeing’s commitment to ensuring passenger safety.
In a letter addressed to the US Congress, Boeing admitted that it was unable to locate records for the work carried out on the door panel that fell off the Alaska Airlines plane. The company claimed that despite their own rules requiring documentation, they believe that no records were ever created regarding the panel.
As the investigation unfolds, it remains to be seen how this blowout incident will impact Boeing’s reputation and its ongoing efforts to regain public trust. The criminal investigation, along with the FAA’s audit findings and the concerns raised about Boeing’s safety culture, paint a troubling picture for the aircraft manufacturer. The aviation industry and passengers worldwide will be closely watching the outcome of these investigations, hoping for a safer future in air travel.