Boeing’s 737 Max Accident: Exposing the Company’s Troubling Failure Rate in FAA Audits
In a shocking revelation, it has come to light that Boeing, one of the world’s leading aircraft manufacturers, has been facing significant issues with its 737 Max program. Following a recent incident where a door panel blew off a 737 Max 9 during an Alaska Airlines flight, U.S. air safety regulators initiated a thorough audit of Boeing, and the results are concerning.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) auditors discovered a staggering 97 instances of non-compliance in Boeing’s 737 Max program. These instances included failures to comply with quality-control requirements, raising serious concerns about the company’s commitment to safety. Out of the 89 product audits conducted, Boeing passed only 56 and failed 33, revealing a failure rate of over 37%. This is a significant shortcoming for an industry leader like Boeing.
But Boeing’s troubles do not end there. Spirit AeroSystems, the company responsible for manufacturing 737 Max fuselages, also faced challenges. Out of the 13 audits conducted, they managed to pass only six, indicating their own struggles to meet quality standards.
The New York Times recently shed light on some unconventional practices within Boeing. One instance involved a mechanic using a hotel key card to check a door seal, which is far from the rigorous standards expected in the aviation industry. Additionally, liquid soap was used for lubrication during the “fit-up process,” further highlighting a lack of adherence to established procedures.
A separate panel report revealed a “disconnect” in Boeing’s safety culture, specifically in response to the tragic crashes of the 737 Max planes in 2018 and 2019, which claimed the lives of 346 people. This revelation raises serious questions about the company’s prioritization of safety and its ability to learn from past mistakes.
The situation has taken another distressing turn with the recent death of John Barnett, a former Boeing employee and prominent whistleblower. Barnett, who spent 32 years at Boeing before retiring in 2017, had voiced concerns about the company’s production standards. Just days before his tragic death, Barnett had testified as a whistleblower against the company. While the police have determined the cause of death as a self-inflicted gunshot wound, the circumstances surrounding his death have raised suspicions and further fueled the ongoing investigations into Boeing.
In addition to these troubling revelations, a viral video on social media has captured secret footage of Boeing engineers expressing reservations about flying on the 737 Max planes. The video, which has garnered over 2.3 million views, shows 15 engineers who worked on Boeing’s flagship product, the 787 Dreamliner, stating that they would not fly on the planes they helped build. This lack of confidence from those directly involved in the production process adds another layer of concern to Boeing’s already tarnished reputation.
As investigations into Boeing continue, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Justice Department are actively looking into the reported failures and irregularities within the company. The full extent of the repercussions for Boeing remains to be seen, but it is clear that this is a critical moment for the aviation giant.
The story of Boeing’s investigations is still unfolding, leaving many questions unanswered. As we await further information, it is crucial to reflect on the significance of these findings and demand accountability from one of the leading players in the aviation industry. Safety should always be paramount, and it is imperative that companies like Boeing uphold the highest standards to ensure the well-being of passengers and restore trust in their products.
