FAA Launches Boeing Safety Review Amid Ongoing Oversight Concerns

The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Friday it will conduct a new safety review of Boeing as part of its ongoing oversight of the US planemaker. This decision follows a series of incidents and concerns regarding Boeing’s operational safety processes. 

The FAA’s review will focus on areas such as risk assessment quality, resource allocation, and adherence to regulatory requirements, and is expected to be completed within three months.

This development follows a January incident involving the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 jet, when a door plug lost key bolts at 16,000 feet, raising significant safety alarms. This incident has led to a separate criminal investigation by the Justice Department and has intensified scrutiny over FAA's oversight mechanisms. A recent report by the Transportation Department's Office criticized the FAA, stating that the agency lacks an effective system to monitor Boeing's individual manufacturing facilities.

In light of recent findings, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker has committed to revamping the agency’s safety management program according to Reuters, He previously acknowledged the challenges in Boeing's safety culture, indicating that meaningful improvements may require three to five years. Whitaker took the unusual step in January of restricting Boeing from expanding its 737 MAX production until the agency is satisfied with the improvements made in quality assurance.

Boeing has responded to the FAA’s actions by reaffirming its commitment to safety. "We continue to cooperate fully and transparently with the FAA. We support all actions that strengthen safety in aviation," said the company. This cooperation comes in the wake of an FAA audit completed in February, which revealed 97 instances of noncompliance in Boeing’s operations, including issues in manufacturing process control, parts handling, and employee proficiency.

The FAA emphasized that this initiative is part of a broader strategy for aggressive oversight of Boeing, which has faced scrutiny over its manufacturing practices. An FAA spokesperson indicated that regular reviews of Boeing will continue as part of this effort.

Boeing has faced a series of operational and financial challenges following its acknowledgment of safety deficiencies, particularly after a mid-air emergency in January and the 737 MAX crashes. As previously shared in Mexico Business News, the company has announced a hiring freeze and cuts to executive salaries in response to these concerns. Additionally, about 33,000 Boeing union members have gone on strike, the first since 2008, after rejecting a proposed contract.