Federal officials have recently provided updates on their investigations into a jetliner that experienced a midflight fuselage incident. These officials have briefed a congressional committee, revealing that airlines have inspected 40 identical Boeing planes in response to the incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that it will review the information gathered from these inspections while developing a maintenance process before allowing the planes to carry passengers again.
Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and FAA administrator Mike Whitaker spent two hours briefing members of the Senate Commerce Committee in Washington. The purpose of this briefing was to provide updates on their separate investigations into both Boeing and the incident itself. Although the investigations are still in their early stages, it was emphasized that there will be consequences once the investigations are concluded.
An Emphasis on FAA Oversight
During the closed-door session, there was a keen interest in ensuring that the FAA is fulfilling its duty of oversight. Senator Jerry Moran, a Kansas Republican, commented on Whitaker’s indication that the FAA is focusing on the challenges that Boeing has faced over a longer period of time, with this incident being just one component of those challenges. The FAA and NTSB have chosen not to comment further on the briefing.
NTSB to Investigate Manufacturing Process
Chair Jennifer Homendy stated that the NTSB will be investigating how the fuselage panel was produced by Spirit AeroSystems and subsequently installed on the Alaska Airlines plane. The panel in question was manufactured in Malaysia by Boeing’s leading supplier, which brings attention to Boeing’s global supply chain. Spirit AeroSystems, in response, has confirmed their commitment to cooperating with the NTSB during their investigation.
Boeing CEO’s Visit to Spirit AeroSystems
Boeing CEO David Calhoun made a visit to the Spirit AeroSystems factory in Wichita, Kansas, in light of the incident. Calhoun expressed his commitment to working together with Spirit AeroSystems to improve their processes. During a town hall meeting with approximately 200 Spirit employees, both CEOs stressed the importance of learning from the incident and applying those lessons to all future endeavors.
Both companies, Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, are currently facing scrutiny over the quality of their work. In addition to the ongoing investigation, the FAA is looking into whether Boeing and its suppliers followed proper quality-control procedures. The incident has caused Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the only U.S. airlines operating the Boeing Max 9 aircraft, to ground their planes and cancel numerous flights. However, both companies have expressed their dedication to working with the NTSB, FAA, and the airlines to restore confidence in their operations.
As investigations into the recent fuselage incident continue, federal officials have provided updates on the steps being taken. The inspections of Boeing 737 Max 9 jets conducted by airlines are being closely reviewed by the FAA. The briefing to the Senate Commerce Committee emphasized the importance of FAA oversight and the potential consequences that may result from the investigations. The NTSB’s investigation will focus on the manufacturing process of the fuselage panel, which was produced by Spirit AeroSystems in Malaysia. Boeing’s CEO has visited the factory to reassure employees and demonstrate their commitment to improvement. Both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems are determined to learn from this incident and work towards restoring confidence in their work.
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