NTSB to hold extensive hearings on Boeing 737 MAX safety and manufacturing

On Wednesday, the National Transportation Safety Board said it had organized 20-hour hearings over two days on the January Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 in-flight door plug emergency and would check the supervision of US safety regulators.

Incident Overview

Boeing has come under scrutiny after a door panel detached during a January 5 flight on a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9. This incident forced pilots to make an emergency landing, leaving passengers exposed to a gaping hole at 16,000 feet.

Following this event, the FAA grounded all MAX 9 airplanes for several weeks and mandated safety checks before they could resume flights. The FAA has also halted Boeing’s plans to expand MAX production pending a review of the company’s practices.

Missing Bolts and Legal Actions

The NTSB previously revealed that four key bolts were missing from the door plug that detached during the Alaska Airlines flight.

This has prompted the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation into the incident. NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy indicated that witnesses from Alaska Airlines, Boeing, and Spirit AeroSystems are expected to provide testimony during the hearings.

Boeing’s Violation of Investigation Rules

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The NTSB recently stated that Boeing violated rules by disclosing non-public information to the media and speculating on possible causes of the incident. As a result, Boeing could lose its status as a party to the probe.

Consequently, Boeing will no longer have access to information produced during the investigation and will not be permitted to question other participants at the August hearings.

Witnesses and Testimonies

Elizabeth Lund, Boeing’s Senior Vice President of Quality, is expected to appear at the hearing despite previously making remarks that violated NTSB rules.

The NTSB announced that it would subpoena Boeing witnesses to ensure their appearance at the hearing. The full investigation into the incident is anticipated to take between one year and 18 months to complete.

Conclusion

These hearings come at a critical time for Boeing, as the company faces significant scrutiny over its manufacturing and safety practices.

The outcomes of the hearings and the ongoing investigation will be crucial in determining the future of the Boeing 737 MAX and the company’s overall reputation in the aerospace industry.