Lack of Record Submission by Boeing in Relation to the Detached Jetliner Panel, Reveals US Official
Boeing’s lack of transparency and failure to submit important records regarding a detached jetliner panel has raised concerns about the company’s safety management systems. In a recent Senate committee hearing, Jennifer Homendy, the chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), revealed that Boeing has refused to disclose information about the individuals who worked on the door plug that blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 during a flight in January. Additionally, the company has not provided documentation related to the repair job that involved removing and reinstalling the panel.
Homendy expressed her frustration with Boeing’s lack of cooperation, stating that it is “absurd” that two months have passed without obtaining this crucial information. The absence of these records raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, and safety management systems at Boeing. Lawmakers were taken aback by this revelation, with Senator Ted Cruz of Texas denouncing Boeing’s actions as “utterly unacceptable.”
Despite requests for comment, Boeing did not immediately respond to the issue. However, Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, where Max jetliners are assembled, emphasized the importance of cooperation between Boeing and the NTSB. Cantwell acknowledged Boeing’s significance as a leading U.S. exporter and major defense contractor, highlighting the need to address any flaws in their system through a thorough investigation.
Boeing has faced increased scrutiny since the incident on January 5th when a panel that served as an emergency door detached from an Alaska Airlines Max 9. Fortunately, the pilots managed to land safely, and there were no injuries reported. In a preliminary report released last month, the NTSB revealed that four bolts crucial for securing the door plug were missing after the panel was removed for nearby rivet repairs carried out by contractors from Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems. However, the NTSB is still unaware of who removed and replaced the door panel.
Homendy further disclosed that Boeing has a 25-member team responsible for the panel, led by a manager. However, Boeing has repeatedly declined requests to disclose the names of team members for interviews with investigators. The manager of the team is currently on medical leave, rendering them unavailable for questioning. Additionally, security-camera footage that could have identified the person responsible for removing the panel was erased and recorded over after 30 days.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently issued a directive giving Boeing 90 days to address quality-control issues highlighted by both the agency and a panel of industry and government experts. Despite previous improvements made by Boeing following the crashes of two Max 8 jets in 2018 and 2019, which claimed the lives of 346 individuals, the panel discovered ongoing problems in Boeing’s safety culture.
Boeing’s failure to cooperate and provide essential records regarding the detached jetliner panel has raised serious concerns about the company’s commitment to safety. As investigations continue, it is crucial that Boeing fully engages with the NTSB to ensure that all necessary improvements are made to prevent such incidents in the future. The aviation industry and the flying public deserve nothing less than a robust safety culture from one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers.
