The 737 MAX disasters exposed Boeing’s egregious compromise of safety over profit. Almost 350 people died in two catastrophic airplane crashes that escalated the matter to the highest levels of the US government. Since then, Boeing was subjected to a federal investigation, forced by the FAA to limit aircraft production, suffered millions in losses due to nonproduction, and paid out $2.5 billion in fines and compensation to the airlines and the victims’ family members. In addition, Boeing saw a change in its leadership, twice-over, in an attempt to implement drastic changes and restore its once immaculate reputation. One would think that all of this would have rocked the once respected behemoth to its core and propelled it to clean up its act. One would think.
Since 2019, the FAA has been responsible for providing stringent oversight at Boeing manufacturing plants following the crashes. But as Mike Whitaker, the FAA Administrator, prepares to step down prior to the new Trump administration taking place, he admits that progress has been slow. Boeing has still not made substantive changes in its culture to improve safety and quality. How is that even possible?
As the new administration comes in, one which believes in less government regulation, what exactly will that mean for Boeing’s slow commitment to change? And what will that mean for aviation safety in general? Something we should all ask ourselves.