The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has released a summary of its findings from an audit into Boeing and supplier Spirit AeroSystems, which was prompted by a mid-air emergency involving a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 in January. According to the agency, the audit revealed multiple instances where the companies failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.
The FAA reported “non-compliance issues” in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. While the agency has shared the findings with the companies, it has not made them public as the investigation is still ongoing.
Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems have yet to comment on the audit.
The incident in January, where a door plug fell off at 16,000 feet, led to the FAA grounding the MAX 9 for several weeks. In response, Boeing has taken steps to improve safety procedures and address the FAA’s concerns.
Last week, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker met with Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun and stated that the company must develop a comprehensive plan to address “systemic quality-control issues” within 90 days. Whitaker emphasized the need for real and profound improvements and stated that the FAA will hold Boeing accountable every step of the way.
The FAA’s production-line audit and an expert review panel report released last week will be incorporated into Boeing’s plan. The company has also recently made changes to its leadership team, removing Ed Clark, the head of its 737 MAX program.
According to a preliminary report from the National Safety Transportation Board, the door panel that flew off the MAX 9 appeared to be missing four key bolts. This incident has raised concerns about the safety and quality control processes in place at Boeing.
In response to the audit findings, Calhoun stated that Boeing’s leadership team is fully committed to addressing the FAA’s concerns and developing a plan to improve safety and quality control. The company has 90 days to present this plan to the FAA, and the agency will closely monitor its progress.
The FAA’s findings highlight the importance of maintaining strict quality control measures in the manufacturing process of aircraft. The agency’s commitment to holding Boeing accountable and ensuring the safety of air travel is crucial in restoring trust in the company and the 737 MAX program.
