Federal investigators are locked in a fierce battle with Boeing after the airplane manufacturer's sluggish response significantly hampered their probe into a mid-air door plug blowout aboard an Alaska Airlines flight on January 5th.
Jennifer Homendy, Chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), expressed deep frustration at a Wednesday Senate Commerce Committee hearing. Boeing, according to Homendy, has displayed a concerning lack of transparency, failing to provide crucial information about the incident.
Homendy outlined a series of vital details Boeing has withheld. These include:
The names of 25 employees believed to possess knowledge about work done on the specific door plug that blew out.
Documents detailing factory procedures related to the door plug's removal and reinstallation in September 2023.
Specifics like the date and shift when the plug was installed on the Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9.
Homendy's testimony raised serious questions about Boeing's quality control and safety protocols. The missing information, she pointed out, "raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, and safety management systems within Boeing."
The situation is particularly concerning given Boeing's past struggles with transparency. Homendy noted the NTSB's intent to delve deeper into Boeing's safety culture, hinting at potential systemic issues.
The lack of cooperation has pushed the NTSB to the brink. Homendy declared the agency's willingness to use its subpoena authority to compel Boeing to provide the necessary information.
This incident disturbingly mirrors Boeing's response to the 737 MAX crashes of 2018 and 2019, which claimed 346 lives. In those investigations, Boeing was criticized for lengthy delays in furnishing crucial internal communications, hindering the probe.
The NTSB plans to hold a rare public investigative hearing into the Alaska Airlines incident later this year. This unprecedented move underscores the agency's heightened concern and Boeing's potential culpability.
Senators from both sides of the aisle condemned Boeing's conduct. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) called the company's response "utterly unacceptable," while Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chair of the committee, expressed her deep disappointment.
This incident raises critical questions about Boeing's commitment to passenger safety. The NTSB's investigation holds immense significance, not just for the Alaska Airlines incident, but for ensuring public confidence in the aviation industry.
