An expert panel reviewing Boeing's safety management processes has recently found a significant "disconnect" between the planemaker's senior management and employees on safety culture. This report, released on Monday, was directed by the U.S. Congress following two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 that resulted in the tragic loss of 346 lives.
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The panel's findings were critical of Boeing's safety culture on several fronts. It identified a lack of awareness of safety-related metrics at all levels of the organization. The report also highlighted an inadequate and confusing implementation of positive safety culture components. The expert panel, appointed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in early 2023, cited gaps in Boeing's safety journey and referenced serious quality issues that have become public since 2023. One such incident occurred last month when a door panel of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jet blew off mid-flight. This incident raised serious questions about Boeing's quality control and prompted the FAA to temporarily ground the U.S. Max 9 fleet.
The recent issues amplified the expert panel's concerns that safety-related messages or behaviors are not being implemented across the entire Boeing population. The report recommended that Boeing should review the recommendations within six months and develop an action plan. In response to the panel's findings, Boeing stated that it appreciated the panel's work and acknowledged that there is more work to do. The company committed to carefully reviewing the panel's assessment and learning from their findings as they continue their comprehensive efforts to improve their safety and quality programs. The FAA, which is conducting a safety audit of Boeing after the Jan. 5 Max 9 incident, said it will immediately begin a thorough review of the report and determine the next steps regarding the recommendations as appropriate. The FAA has also faced prior criticism for not doing more to insulate its employees from pressure from Boeing.
Boeing's safety culture has faced criticism for years from lawmakers and others. Senate Commerce Committee chair Maria Cantwell emphasized last month that "The American flying public and Boeing line workers deserve a culture of leadership at Boeing that puts safety ahead of profits". Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is set to meet with FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker on Tuesday to discuss his recent visit to Boeing's 737 factory in Washington. This meeting will likely be crucial in addressing the safety concerns raised by the panel's report. In conclusion, the expert panel's findings underscore the urgent need for Boeing to address the disconnect between its management and employees on safety culture. The company's response to these findings and its actions in the coming months will be critical in restoring confidence in its commitment to safety.