A recent Senate hearing titled “Examining Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts” was held following whistleblower claims about issues with Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft. The goal was to investigate the safety culture at Boeing, which has been under scrutiny due to recent incidents like the Alaska Airlines door plug blowout and an Expert Panel review of Boeing’s Safety Management System. The hearing also delved into the issues surrounding the 737 MAX program, particularly the failed design of the Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS) that led to two crashes and the grounding of the global fleet.
One key focus of the hearing was the 2021 deal Boeing made with the Department of Justice regarding fraud conspiracy charges related to the MCAS system. Boeing admitted to deceiving the FAA about the system, leading to criminal penalties of over $2.5 billion, including compensation for the families of the 346 passengers killed in the two crashes. However, there are concerns about accountability, as no one has been held responsible for concealing important information from the FAA, leading to the tragic crashes. Senator Johnson emphasized the need for accountability and justice for the lives lost.
Following the 2021 agreement, a new DOJ investigation was launched into the Alaska Airlines Boeing 737-9 MAX mid-exit door plug blowout. The investigation raises questions about whether Boeing has met the terms of its original agreement, including cooperating with ongoing investigations and reporting any evidence of fraudulent activities. The National Transportation Safety Board’s investigation into missing documents for repair work on the door plug may have implications for Boeing’s compliance program and integrity.
The hearing also raised concerns about the pervasiveness of misconduct at Boeing, despite the DOJ’s assessment in 2021 that the misconduct was not widespread. Whistleblower Sam Salehpour’s testimony highlighted his struggles to raise safety concerns within Boeing and the lack of proper response from management. Salehpour’s claims were similar to those of other Boeing whistleblowers, including John Barnett, who passed away during a deposition related to his claims against the company. These testimonies shed light on the challenges faced by employees who speak up about safety issues within Boeing.
Boeing has denied Salehpour’s claims of structural integrity issues in the 787 Dreamliner and 777 fuselages, as well as any retaliation against employees who raise safety concerns. However, the testimonies from whistleblowers like Salehpour and Barnett point to a potential systemic issue within Boeing’s safety culture. The Senate hearing highlighted the importance of addressing these concerns and ensuring that Boeing is held accountable for any misconduct or negligence that may have contributed to past incidents and safety risks. The hearing also emphasized the need for transparency, compliance, and a strong safety culture within the company to prevent future tragedies and uphold the trust of the flying public.
