Senate Hearings Grill Boeing Over Safety Concerns Following Midair Incident

By John Lopez

Apr 17 2024, 14:40 PM EDT

Following a midair incident involving a Boeing aircraft on Jan. 5, the aerospace giant came under intense scrutiny during Senate hearings focused on safety concerns.

Reuters tells us that these hearings, held by the US Senate Commerce and Homeland Security Committees, focused on Boeing's safety culture and production quality, which have come under fire in recent months.

The incident in question, a midair panel blowout on a 737 MAX single-aisle plane, prompted significant repercussions for Boeing. A management shakeup ensued, with CEO Dave Calhoun announcing his intention to step down by year's end.

Furthermore, US regulators imposed production curbs, leading to a drastic decrease in deliveries, which fell by half in March.

Boeing Employees Testify On Safety Culture At The Manufacturer During Senate Hearing — WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 17: Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour arrives for a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs subcommittee on investigations hearing titled "Boeing's broken safety culture, focusing on firsthand accounts" at the U.S. Capitol on April 17, 2024 in Washington, DC. In an interview with NBC News, Salehpour says that he thinks all 787 jets should be grounded to allow for proper safety checks of the plane, which has come under fire in recent months following a slew of incidents. Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images

Senate Hearings Grill Boeing Over Safety Concerns

During the hearings, members of the Senate Commerce Committee stressed the urgent need for Boeing to address its safety culture. Senator Maria Cantwell emphasized that Boeing must submit a comprehensive plan to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) within 90 days to rectify "systemic quality-control issues."

A key figure in the hearings was Boeing whistleblower Sam Salehpour, a current engineer at the company. Salehpour reiterated his allegations that Boeing had compromised safety by cutting corners in producing wide-body planes, particularly the 787 Dreamliner. He highlighted the omission of adequate shimming, which he claimed could lead to premature fatigue failure.

Salehpour's testimony drew attention to a fundamental issue within Boeing's operations. He believed in Boeing's potential to restore public trust, stating, "I believe that Boeing can do better and that the public's trust in Boeing can be restored."

Boeing Says "The 787 Is a Safe Airplane"

Boeing, however, contested Salehpour's claims, asserting the safety of its aircraft and defending its testing procedures. CEO Dave Calhoun's reassurance that "the 787 is a safe airplane" echoed sentiments shared by Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, a major Dreamliner operator.

The hearings shed light on broader concerns regarding Boeing's safety culture. A US senator, Tammy Duckworth, described Boeing's manufacturing problems as symptomatic of a deeper issue, attributing them to a disregard for safety culture in pursuit of shareholder interests.