Boeing CEO Acknowledges Errors and Promises Safety Measures After Alaska Airlines Incident
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has publicly acknowledged errors made by the company after more than 170 jets were grounded following a mid-air panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight. Calhoun assured employees that Boeing would take steps to ensure that such an accident could never happen again. Stan Deal, the company’s top plane-making official, also addressed the seriousness of the incident during a town hall meeting at the Renton, Washington 737 factory. Boeing is launching checks into its quality controls and processes.
This incident has put pressure on Boeing, as it comes almost five years after the MAX safety crisis caused by deadly crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. Calhoun expressed his deep concern over the accident and emphasized that Boeing would be transparent throughout the investigation process. Both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the two carriers using the grounded planes, have found loose parts on similar aircraft, raising concerns about the potential for a similar incident.
Boeing has identified the findings as a “quality control issue” and is conducting checks at its own plants and at fuselage supplier Spirit Aerosystems. The company has also issued written orders to address these problems and conduct broader checks of systems and processes. As a result of the grounding, United has canceled 225 daily flights, while Alaska Airlines has canceled 109. Similar cancellations are expected in the coming days.
Calhoun reassured Boeing employees that the company is committed to ensuring the safety of every airplane that takes to the sky. He commended the Alaska Airlines crew for their swift action in safely landing the plane with minimal injuries to passengers and crew. Some industry leaders have criticized Boeing for not grounding the planes sooner, but Calhoun’s response this time has been seen as more proactive and transparent.
Boeing is currently revising its instructions for inspections and maintenance, which will need approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before checks can begin. The FAA will conduct a thorough review and prioritize public safety in determining when the MAX planes can return to service. This incident may also impact the FAA’s certification process for other Boeing models, including the MAX 7.
Boeing ended 2023 in second place behind Airbus in aircraft deliveries for the fifth consecutive year. The company’s market share has been significantly affected by the previous MAX safety crisis. The latest incident could further delay the certification of design changes for the MAX 7, potentially causing a six-month delay for Southwest Airlines, which is awaiting the delivery of these planes. FAA head Mike Whitaker is scheduled to testify before Congress next month and may face questions regarding the approval of the 737 MAX planes.
