Washington, DC, April 18 - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is under heavy criticism for its handling of engine problems in Boeing’s 737 MAX planes. This scrutiny intensified after two 2023 Southwest Airlines incidents where bird strikes caused smoke to fill the cockpit and cabin, leading to emergency landings. These events raised serious doubts about the FAA's effectiveness in ensuring flight safety. In November 2024, the FAA formed a Corrective Action Review Board to examine the LEAP-1B engine issues. The Board concluded that no immediate action was needed, even though the birds involved were larger than those the engines were tested. GE Aerospace, a co-owner of the engines, stated that the engines worked as they should. Despite this, the incidents showed that the engines could struggle in rare and serious situations, where smoke inside the plane poses a significant risk to passengers and crew. Seeing the rarity of such incidents and the existence of pilot protocols to deal with cockpit smoke, the FAA chose not to make immediate changes such as modifying takeoff procedures. Instead, they decided to work with Boeing and others on a long-term solution.
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However, many are unhappy with this decision. The engine problems could delay the 737 MAX 7 and MAX 10 approvals, which already face challenges with their engine anti-ice systems. Boeing had asked to bypass some FAA rules for these aircraft systems, which highlights the complexity of getting them certified. The FAA’s cautious approach is partly due to a January 2024 incident involving Alaska Airlines, where a 737 MAX 9 had to make an emergency landing because a part came loose mid-flight. This incident led the FAA to limit Boeing’s 737 MAX production to 38 planes a month and temporarily ground 170 aircraft, marking a move towards stricter oversight.
In April 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s inspector general announced an audit of the FAA’s actions, focusing on a device in the LEAP-1B engine that can release toxic smoke. This audit was spurred by the 2023 incidents and concerns about whether the FAA can effectively address issues at Boeing. In 2024, an audit found 97 instances of Boeing not complying with manufacturing processes. Critics argue that the FAA’s previously hands-off approach, acknowledged by former Administrator Mike Whitaker, allowed quality control problems to continue.
To improve oversight, the FAA has increased its presence at Boeing's Renton, Washington, factory, where inspectors now approve each plane individually. However, with only 11 inspectors for a facility with 12,000 employees, it’s unclear if this is enough oversight. The FAA’s ongoing reviews and collaboration with Boeing aim to restore public trust, but Boeing must show it can improve its safety culture. Whitaker estimated this could take three to five years. The FAA’s handling of the 737 MAX engine issues is a significant test of its regulatory abilities, which will impact Boeing’s production schedules and the safety of passengers globally.