The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just recently proposed a record $3.1 million civil penalty against Boeing. This statement follows the barrage of safety violations that the company has recently received regarding its 737 Max series. This decision comes amid unprecedented scrutiny of the aerospace giant. The troubles have plagued the company with a heavy hand since at least 2019, following two fatal crashes of its aircraft.
After the crash of a Boeing 737 Max in Indonesia in October 2018, and another crash in Ethiopia in March 2019, these accidents caused the death of 346 people and caused the plane to be grounded around the world. The FAA’s recent actions highlight the continuing concerns surrounding Boeing’s safety practices.
The most recent incident occurred just this past January 2024. Medford, Oregon, door plug Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug blew out shortly after take-off from Portland OR. Thankfully, none of the 171 passengers or six crew members on board suffered serious injuries. This tragedy led to a months-long investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board, which lasted for 17 months.
Boeing provided hundreds of thousands of documents related to the design, manufacturing and safety oversight investigations. Moreover, the cause of the door plug blowout was due in part to ineffective inspections and audits by the FAA. The FAA pointed out that unsafe practices had been implemented to ensure that “Boeing could meet its delivery schedule, even though the ODA member determined the aircraft did not comply with applicable standards.”
Boeing is currently in the process of appealing the FAA’s proposed penalty. They will need to reply in under 30 days. The company emphasized its commitment to safety, stating, “We regret the January 2024 door-plug accident and continue to work on strengthening our safety culture and improving first-time quality and accountability across our operations.”
Boeing does appear to be making concerted efforts to make its operations safer and strengthen its quality assurance practices. The company has admitted culpability, and last year agreed to an FAA-monitored safety and quality plan. This plan aims to raise the production quality for Boeing’s aircraft. It arrives in response to the immense pressure received after the first two crashes.
Despite these measures, the ongoing scrutiny and regulatory actions suggest that Boeing still faces significant challenges in restoring confidence among regulators and the public. The FAA’s proposed fines are an important step towards holding companies accountable for these safety violations. At the same time, the agency remains vigilant in ensuring that Boeing is meeting our aviation standards.
