Republican Senator Chuck Grassley, known for his sharp wit and even sharper investigative skills, has launched a new congressional inquiry into the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing. The reason? A January mid-air emergency involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft left passengers praying for a miracle and the FAA scrambling to save face.
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Grassley, who first probed Boeing's safety actions back in the 1990s, has always been a stickler for aviation safety. And when a door panel blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight, forcing the pilots to make an emergency landing, Grassley smelled something fishy. "Boeing and the FAA must explain how this happened and what is being done to ensure that it does not place the lives of Americans at risk again," Grassley said in a statement that was as serious as a heart attack but delivered with his trademark humor.
The senator has sent a total of 38 questions to the FAA and Boeing, requesting records of safety procedures, regulatory requirements, corrective actions, and whistleblower protections. Because, you know, nothing says "safety first" like a detailed questionnaire. But this isn't Grassley's first rodeo. The senator has a history of taking on big corporations and government agencies when it comes to safety. And with Boeing already facing multiple government investigations and pressure from investors and airlines, Grassley's inquiry is just the cherry on top of their already-melting sundae.
The FAA, for its part, has capped Boeing's production of the 737 MAX and required the company to submit a plan to address quality issues at its factories. Because when you're already in hot water, the best thing to do is turn up the heat. As for Boeing, the company has said it will "continue to be responsive and transparent with Congress." Which is corporate speak for "we're going to do our best to avoid answering any questions and hope this all blows over." In the end, this is just another chapter in the ongoing saga of Boeing's safety issues and the FAA's questionable oversight. But with Grassley at the helm of this new investigation, one thing is for sure: the jokes will be flying, even if the planes aren't.