FAA targets Boeing in new investigation probe

The Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) opened a new investigation probe into Boeing after a “misconduct” claim by internal employees. The investigation concerns the Boeing 787 Dreamliner model, which came under federal scrutiny following allegations of lack of safety.

According to the FAA, Boeing voluntarily informed them about a lack of adequate inspection of the Dreamliner’s wings-to-fuselage joints. The FAA grounded several 787s after in-flight accidents occurred.

Scott Stocker, the lead on the 787 program, told in an email to employees that “we quickly reviewed the matter and learned that several people had been violating Company policies by not performing a required test, but recording the work as having been completed.”

Stocker added that they immediately informed the FAA about the misconduct, which did not create any safety issues. He also said the company would “celebrate” the employee who reported the misconduct.

The company’s stock price dropped 0.88% today after an almost 30% fall this year.

Boeing came under increasing federal scrutiny this year. The company is currently undergoing a criminal investigation on the January 5th Alaska Airlines accident, where a door unplugged mid-flight.

Following this episode, several Boeing flights suffered accidents, including a LATAM plane plunging uncontrollably in mid-air for a few seconds.

Tightening ropes

Besides the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the 737 MAX model also worries federal regulators for its many safety issues.

With the 737 MAX, Boeing tried to replicate the success of the 737, which made it the world’s largest planemaker. However, the 737 MAX’s release was too hurried and ridden with production hurdles. Moreover, airlines preferred the rival Airbus 320 over the MAX.

The slate of bad headlines and safety issues prompted airlines to order fewer Boeing models and cancel existing ones.

Plane deliveries reached their lowest levels since the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2019, Boeing lost the top spot to Airbus, whose sales and deliveries keep growing.

Amid federal investigations, two Boeing whistleblowers died. The first, John Barnett, was killed by a reportedly self-inflicted wound in his car. The second, Joshua Dean died mysteriously after a sudden and unexpected infection.

Last month, Boeing’s CEO Dave Calhoun announced his resignation by year’s end. He had replaced former chief executive Dennis Muilenburg, who stepped down after two 737 MAXs crashed, killing 346 people.

Boeing’s hurdles appear with no end in sight. It will take years for the company to recover, and the path is anything but clear.