Boeing and the National Transportation Safety Board are at odds over the level of cooperation in the investigation of a door-plug panel blowout on a Boeing 737 during a flight in January. The safety board claims that Boeing initially refused to identify employees working on door panels and failed to provide documentation about a repair job on the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 that experienced the blowout.
The NTSB chair expressed concerns about Boeing's quality assurance and safety management systems due to the lack of information provided. Boeing later stated that it had shared employee names and responded to requests for information.
Questions remain about whether Boeing kept records of the panel removal on the Alaska plane last September. The NTSB reported missing bolts after the panel was removed for repairs by contractors. However, the party responsible for the panel removal remains unknown.
Boeing's lack of transparency and cooperation drew criticism from lawmakers during a Senate hearing. The company's safety culture has been under scrutiny since previous incidents involving Boeing 737 Max jets. The FAA has given Boeing 90 days to address quality-control issues highlighted by the agency and industry experts.
Senators emphasized the importance of cooperation in the investigation to ensure passenger safety and improve the aviation system. Boeing's role as a major U.S. exporter and defense contractor adds significance to the need for accountability and transparency in addressing safety concerns.
