Boeing Faces Scrutiny after Plane Incident Raises Safety Concerns
In the wake of a recent plane incident, Boeing finds itself under intense scrutiny once again. The incident has raised significant concerns about the safety checks performed on deployed planes and who ultimately determines their safety.
Former chairman of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), Jim Hall, shed light on the involvement of NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in the day-to-day safety checks of airline fleets. Hall emphasized the importance of following proper procedures during the installation of critical components and questioned who signed off on their completion. He also raised concerns about the oversight and responsibility of Boeing in ensuring the correct installation of these components.
One major issue highlighted by Hall is Boeing's adherence to safety protocols regarding cockpit voice recorders (CBRs). He highlighted that the United States has fallen behind in this aspect, as European aviation regulations already mandate the use of 24-hour CBRs. Hall noted that without such recorders, investigations into serious runway incursions have been severely limited, and he called for the implementation of a warning system to address this deficiency.
The scrutiny of Boeing's practices and culture comes as no surprise. In 2019, the Boeing 737 MAX planes were grounded globally following two fatal crashes. The investigations that followed revealed concerns over the development and certification processes of the aircraft. Hall expressed his previous concerns about the close relationship between the FAA and Boeing during the development of the 737 MAX planes and the company's broader aircraft development practices.
The tragic accidents prompted the involvement of the Av
