Boeing Faces Scrutiny and Urgency Over 737 MAX Safety Revamp

Boeing announced plans to improve design safety following a mid-air cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. The blowout marks Boeing's second major crisis, leading to investigations, production restrictions, and executive departures. The company aims to enhance its safety culture and quality management systems.

Boeing has confirmed that it will introduce design changes to prevent incidents similar to the mid-air cabin panel blowout experienced by an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January. This decision forms part of Boeing's response to its second major crisis in recent years, aimed at reassuring stakeholders about its commitment to safety.

During a nearly 10-hour hearing by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), several issues were raised, including Boeing's lack of documentation over critical parts and systemic lapses in safety culture. The defective door plug, missing four essential bolts, brought about inquiries into Boeing's production oversight and triggered a temporary grounding of MAX 9 aircraft, Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) prohibition on production expansion, and a criminal investigation.

Boeing's senior VP for quality, Elizabeth Lund, stated the company is working on fixes to ensure door plugs are properly secured before flight. Meanwhile, the NTSB disclosed reports and interviews revealing further lapses in Boeing's manufacturing process. Continual defects in delivered fuselages from Spirit AeroSystems, quality management, and oversight deficiencies were major points of contention during the hearing.

(With inputs from agencies.)