Boeing, one of the world’s leading aerospace companies, has recently removed the head of its 737 MAX program, Ed Clark, following a controversy surrounding a mid-air door plug blowout on one of their aircraft. This incident led to a safety review that uncovered missing bolts on the plane. The company has emphasized its commitment to delivering aircraft that meet or exceed quality and safety requirements.
The controversy began when a panel covering an emergency door blew out during a flight on an Alaska Airlines-operated Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. The incident resulted in rapid decompression and an emergency landing. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured, but the potential consequences could have been devastating if the incident had occurred at a higher altitude.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) promptly grounded all 737 MAX 9s and launched an investigation into Boeing’s production safety standards. The investigation revealed that bolts securing the door plug were missing before the plane took off. Additionally, Boeing customers discovered other issues during inspections, including loose door plug bolts and improperly drilled holes on some fuselages.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the incident and has determined that the bolts were missing when the plane took off. The NTSB’s preliminary report found that the damaged rivets on the door plug, installed by supplier Spirit AeroSystems, required technicians to remove the four bolts. Without these bolts, the door plug had no means of staying attached to the fuselage.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun expressed accountability for the incident and stated that improvements are necessary to prevent such events from occurring in the future. The company is committed to ensuring the highest quality and safety standards for its customers and their passengers.
Alongside Ed Clark’s departure, several other leadership changes have been announced within Boeing. Katie Ringgold will replace Clark as vice president and general manager of the 737 program and the Renton site. Elizabeth Lund has been appointed as senior vice president for BCA Quality, leading quality control and assurance efforts. Mike Fleming will take over as senior vice president and general manager of Boeing’s Airplane Programs.
These leadership changes reflect Boeing’s commitment to addressing the issues revealed by the controversy surrounding the 737 MAX program. Immediate action is being taken to bolster quality assurance and controls across Boeing’s factories.
Boeing’s reputation has undoubtedly been affected by this incident, but the company’s swift response and commitment to improvement demonstrate their dedication to the safety and satisfaction of their customers. As the investigation continues, it is crucial that Boeing remains transparent and implements necessary changes to ensure incidents like the door plug blowout do not happen again.
