NTSB Probes Boeing 737 Max Incident in Two-Day Hearing
NTSB begins hearings on Boeing 737 Max door panel blowout. Investigation focuses on manufacturing process breakdown, with Boeing and supplier executives to testify. Incident has led to widespread scrutiny of Boeing's operations.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is set to conduct a two-day hearing starting Tuesday, delving into the January 5, 2024, incident involving a Boeing 737 Max jet. The event, which saw a door panel blow off an Alaska Airlines flight shortly after takeoff from Portland International Airport, has reignited concerns about commercial air travel safety and Boeing's manufacturing processes.
Key figures expected to testify include Elizabeth Lund, senior executive overseeing quality in Boeing's commercial airplane division, and Terry George, a top executive from Spirit AeroSystems, the supplier responsible for manufacturing the affected fuselage. The NTSB will also release thousands of pages of documents, potentially shedding light on the failures that led to the incident.
While no serious injuries occurred, the aftermath has been significant. The incident has prompted multiple investigations into Boeing, a company that had previously pledged to prioritize safety following two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that claimed 346 lives in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
"Boeing has been withholding information critical to our investigation, including the names of individuals who may have worked on the door panel during assembly."
The investigation has not been without conflict. In June 2024, the NTSB reprimanded Boeing for disclosing investigation details to media outlets without authorization, violating agreements signed by parties involved in NTSB probes.
A preliminary NTSB report from February 2024 revealed that four bolts designed to secure the panel were not reinstalled after its removal for fuselage repairs. Investigators have been unable to locate documentation detailing who removed the bolts and why they weren't replaced, with Boeing claiming such paperwork doesn't exist.
The incident's repercussions have led to significant changes at Boeing, including the departure of CEO Dave Calhoun and other senior leaders. Kelly Ortberg, a veteran aerospace executive, is set to take the helm as CEO on August 8, 2024.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed production limits on 737 Max jets until Boeing demonstrates adherence to its safety procedures. This action has not only damaged Boeing's reputation but also impacted its finances, with the company reporting a second-quarter net loss of $1.4 billion in 2024, more than triple the loss from the same period in 2023.
The FAA's oversight of Boeing has also come under scrutiny. Senator Maria Cantwell, chair of the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, recently questioned FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker about the agency's audits of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, which failed to result in enforcement actions despite a special audit revealing numerous compliance issues.
As the NTSB continues its investigation, a final report including probable causes and recommendations is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete. This thorough examination aims to address the manufacturing process breakdown and restore public confidence in commercial air travel.
