Boeing has ousted the head of the 737 Max program as the planemaker fights to repair its reputation following a terrifying cabin panel blowout.
Ed Clark, who was also general manager of Boeing’s plant in Renton, Washington, is leaving the business with immediate effect, according to an internal memo. His exit was first reported by the Seattle Times.
The company has scrambled to reassure regulators, airlines and passengers since a brand-new 737 Max 9 jet was forced into an emergency landing last month.
The dramatic incident during an Alaska Airlines flight – which prompted 171 Max 9 jets to be grounded for several weeks – has sparked the biggest safety crisis for Boeing since the crashes of two of its Max 8 jets, in 2018 and 2019, in which 346 people were killed.
Clark will be replaced by Katie Ringgold, who is currently vice-president of 737 delivery operations. Boeing also created a new role of senior vice-president for quality in its commercial airplanes business, appointing Elizabeth Lund to the post.
It comes after an initial report by the US safety regulator found the Alaska jet’s cabin panel appeared to have been missing four key bolts. The bolts meant to hold the door plug in place were absent, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said.
In a message to Boeing employees on Wednesday, Stan Deal, who leads the company’s commercial airplanes division, said the changes were made as part of its “enhanced focus on ensuring that every airplane we deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements. Our customers demand, and deserve, nothing less.”
Clark “departs with my, and our, deepest gratitude for his many significant contributions over nearly 18 years of dedicated service to Boeing”, Deal added, offering him the company’s “very best wishes”.
The shake-up followed a meeting of Boeing’s board, according to a source familiar with the matter.
Dave Calhoun, Boeing’s chief executive, has acknowledged the business faces a “serious challenge” to win back the confidence of regulators and airlines. Some analysts had called into question whether senior executives at the company would have to resign.
Calhoun plans to meet with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief, Mike Whitaker, next week after the top aviation regulator traveled to Renton to tour the Boeing 737 plant.
The FAA initially grounded the Max 9 for several weeks in January, and has capped Boeing’s production of the Max while it audits the planemaker’s manufacturing processes.
Reuters contributed reporting
