Boeing Is Continuing to Face Scrutiny Over Safety Culture and 787 Dreamliner Issues

Key Takeaways

• Boeing is facing intense scrutiny in back-to-back Congressional hearings on safety failures.
• Whistleblowers have alleged issues with 787 Dreamliner skin fastening and 737 Max door blowout.
• The hearings are to examine Boeing's safety culture, manufacturing processes, and FAA oversight.
• Boeing's reputation, regulatory oversight, and public trust in its aircraft are at stake.
• Increased safety reporting by Boeing workers seen as progress, but critics cite culture shift.

Boeing will face intense scrutiny during back-to-back Congressional hearings on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, as lawmakers examine allegations of major safety failures at the embattled aircraft manufacturer.

The first hearing will feature an expert panel that found serious flaws in Boeing's safety culture, while the second will hear from a Boeing engineer-turned-whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, who claims that sections of the skin on 787 Dreamliner jets are not properly fastened and could eventually break apart.

Salehpour's allegations, along with those of another Boeing whistleblower, Ed Pierson, will be examined by a Senate investigations subcommittee. The lawmakers are seeking documents from Boeing related to manufacturing issues and safety concerns raised by employees. Boeing has dismissed Salehpour's claims, but the company faces a criminal investigation and separate probes by the FAA and NTSB following a door-plug panel blowout incident on a 737 Max jetliner.

Why this matters:The hearings come as Boeing contends with a crisis of confidence following a series of safety incidents and allegations of flaws in its manufacturing processes and safety culture. The outcome could have significant implications for the company's reputation, regulatory oversight, and the public's trust in the safety of Boeing aircraft .

Javier de Luis, an aerospace engineer and lecturer at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, plans to tell the Senate Commerce Committee that Boeing's pace and commitment to change falls short of what's needed after two 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people. De Luis, whose sister was killed in the Ethiopian Airlines crash, says Boeing should have "gotten it" five years ago.

The FAA is also expected to face scrutiny for its oversight of Boeing, particularly its certification of the 737 Max. The hearings will examine issues with Boeing's safety culture that contributed to the mid-flight blowout crisis . Submissions to Boeing's safety and quality concerns tip line surged 500% in the first quarter of 2024 compared to the previous year, prompted by the January 5th incident where a Boeing 737 Max 9 experienced a mid-air blowout of its plug door panel, causing the cabin to depressurize.

Boeing has responded by increasing promotion of its "Speak Up" reporting system to encourage more workers to report safety issues. The company says this increased reporting is a sign of progress towards a robust safety culture. However, critics argue that Boeing's corporate culture shift away from engineering priorities towards maximizing shareholder value was a key factor in the company's safety failures.

During the hearings, Salehpour will reiterate his concerns about the structural integrity of the 787 Dreamliner, stating that the entire fleet worldwide needs attention to check for potential premature failure. He filed a complaint with the FAA earlier this year, claiming that tiny gaps in the Dreamliner's fuselage did not always meet Boeing's requirements, potentially compromising the safety of the aircraft. Boeing has rejected these claims, insisting that the issues raised have been subject to rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight and do not present any safety concerns.

During the hearings, lawmakers will seek to uncover the extent of Boeing's safety issues and the adequacy of the FAA's oversight. The testimony from whistleblowers and experts is expected to shed light on the company's manufacturing processes, safety culture, and the steps needed to restore public confidence in Boeing aircraft. The hearings come at a critical time for Boeing as it works to address quality control issues and rebuild trust with regulators, airlines, and the flying public.