Latest News

Senate committee faults Boeing security practices, FAA oversight

A U.S. Senate panel examining Boeing's security culture on Wednesday faulted the planemaker's quality practices and oversight by the Federal Air travel Administration citing files acquired in an ongoing investigation.

The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, which is holding a hearing Wednesday with FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker, stated Boeing employees continue to feel pressure to focus on speed of production over quality.

The committee's Democratic staff stated in a memo Boeing battles to ensure staff members are adequately trained, fails to make sure incorrect parts are not installed and its quality assessment treatments and the FAA's evaluation raises questions about certifications and the self-reliance of people performing evaluations.

In some centers, Boeing workers are enabled to check their own work.

Offered the depth and history of Boeing's safety deficiencies, its lack of sincerity with the FAA, and the agency's. reactive regulative posture, the recently launched information. raises concerns about the effectiveness of the FAA's oversight. of the company, the committee stated.

Boeing stated it has actually taken essential steps to cultivate a safety. culture that empowers and encourages all employees to share. their voice, however it will require constant focus.

The FAA did not comment but Whitaker said at a Home hearing. Tuesday that Boeing required to undertake substantial security. culture improvements that might not be finished for many years.

The committee divulged information of an FAA audit completed. after a door plug missing out on crucial bolts blew off a new Alaska. Airline companies 737 MAX 9 jet at 16,000 feet in January.

The Justice Department and FAA are investigating.

The 116-page FAA letter information 97 Boeing allegations of. noncompliance that span problems in Boeing's production. process control, parts handling and storage, and item. control. The audit found 23 examples where workers failed to. follow procedures or lacked efficiency, the memo stated.

Whitaker has actually barred Boeing from broadening MAX production. until it makes significant quality improvements.

The committee stated an internal Boeing survey from May shows. numerous machinists feel pressured to prioritize speed over quality. throughout plane production and stated the FAA identified quality. inspection shortages at Boeing in 2017.

Whitaker's composed testimony for the Senate hearing states the. FAA will expeditiously supply notice, in real time, of any. activities that may be criminal so that DOJ can take any action. they deem proper.

Boeing consented to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy. charge in July after breaching a 2021 contract with DOJ.

(source: Reuters)