Boeing hit with $3.1M fine over door plug blowout, safety lapses
▼ Summary
– The FAA proposed a $3.1 million fine against Boeing for safety violations related to the January 2024 door plug blowout and interference with safety officials’ independence.
– The violations occurred from September 2023 through February 2024, and Boeing has 30 days to respond to the agency’s proposal.
– Hundreds of quality system violations were identified at Boeing’s 737 factory in Renton and subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, including presenting unairworthy aircraft for certification.
– A Boeing safety official faced pressure from a non-ODA employee to sign off on a non-compliant 737-MAX aircraft to meet delivery schedules, despite the ODA unit’s delegated FAA authority.
– Boeing stated it is working to strengthen safety culture and quality, including implementing a Safety & Quality Plan, investing in training, and encouraging employee reporting.
The Federal Aviation Administration has announced a proposed $3.1 million fine against Boeing for safety violations tied to the January 2024 door plug blowout incident and interference with the independence of safety officials. This penalty represents the maximum civil penalty allowed under current law and follows a multi-month investigation into the aerospace giant’s production and compliance practices.
According to the FAA, the fine addresses safety lapses occurring between September 2023 and February 2024. The agency cited hundreds of quality system violations at Boeing’s 737 assembly plant in Renton, Washington, as well as at subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas. In addition, Boeing was found to have presented two aircraft that did not meet airworthiness standards for certification and failed to adhere to its own quality control protocols.
A particularly troubling finding involved a Boeing safety official who was reportedly pressured to approve an aircraft that did not comply with federal standards. This employee was part of the company’s Organization Designation Authorization unit, which performs certain safety functions on behalf of the FAA. Investigators determined that a non-ODA Boeing employee urged the ODA member to sign off on a 737-MAX model to help the company meet its delivery schedule, despite known compliance issues.
This is not the first time Boeing’s ODA process has come under scrutiny. A 2021 Inspector General report raised concerns that the structure did not sufficiently guarantee the independence of ODA personnel from corporate pressures.
Boeing has 30 days to respond to the FAA’s allegations. The company issued a statement expressing regret over the door plug accident and emphasizing its ongoing efforts to strengthen safety protocols. It highlighted the implementation of a Safety & Quality Plan developed under FAA oversight, which includes performance indicators, enhanced training, and a renewed emphasis on encouraging employees to report concerns without fear of reprisal.
(Source: Ars Technica)