FAA boss: Boeing still must make ‘significant changes' to improve quality and safety
Boeing Faces Pressure to Improve Quality and Safety #
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has stated that Boeing still needs to make significant changes to enhance the quality and safety of its airplanes. This comes in the wake of the January 5 incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737 Max, where a door plug blew off during flight.
The FAA Administrator is expected to inform Congress that while progress has been made since the incident, there is still more work to be done. The agency plans to maintain increased oversight of Boeing for the foreseeable future.
The Administrator’s prepared remarks emphasize the need for a shift in Boeing’s safety culture to address systemic quality assurance and production issues comprehensively. The FAA aims to ensure that Boeing implements necessary changes and sustains them long-term.
A preliminary investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident revealed that the plane left the Boeing factory without four crucial bolts needed to secure the door plug. This event has triggered multiple federal investigations and congressional hearings questioning Boeing’s quality and safety standards.
The FAA plans to be more active in overseeing both Boeing and its primary supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, which Boeing is in the process of acquiring. The agency has increased the number of safety inspectors at both companies’ facilities and intends to maintain this enhanced presence.
Recent reports have uncovered new issues at Spirit AeroSystems, with an internal investigation revealing that approximately 4% of all records since 2010 are missing or duplicated for precisely measured parts. However, the company states that no potential safety concerns have been identified with the affected parts, and no aircraft will need to be grounded as a result.
In response to these challenges, the FAA is also modifying its internal structure. This includes elevating the role of the FAA’s executive committee that oversees regulatory oversight and safety management programs. The FAA Administrator and deputy administrator will now be members of this committee.
As the aviation industry continues to grapple with these safety concerns, all eyes remain on Boeing and the FAA’s efforts to ensure the highest standards of aircraft safety and quality.