[aviation news]
NTSB concludes that Boeing supervision and training failures caused an incident with 737 max 9 by 2024
Boeing failed to provide appropriate training, guidance and supervision during the production of 737 MAX 9, contributing to the incident with a fuselage panel in the middle of January 2024. It points out the report of the National United States Safety Administration (NTSB) released today (25), which also pointed out disabilities in the monitoring of production by the US civil aviation authority (FAA, acronym in English).
According to the NTSB, four essential screws were not installed correctly during the production of the 737 Max 9. The absence of records on the removal and reinstallation of the component, a metallic buffer that covers an unused emergency output, prevented the identification of the responsible shift.
NTSB President Jennifer Homendy said the accident was totally preventable and that similar failures had been detected in Boeing internal audits for over a decade.
The episode resulted in the opening of a criminal investigation by the US Department of Justice, which stated that Boeing did not comply with a deferred accusation agreement signed in 2021, related to fatal accidents with 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019. In response, then CEO Dave Calinha announced his departure from the company.
Although NTSB pointed out serious flaws in Boeing administration, the new CEO, Kelly Ortberg, was praised. But the agency acknowledged that the company still faces significant challenges.
After the incident, FAA intensified the oversight of Boeing and fuselage manufacturer Spirit Aerosystems. Since then, 737 MAX 9 production has been limited to 38 aircraft per month, a restriction that remains in force. For now, the agency states that the limit will only be reviewed when there is a guarantee that the processes fully meet safety and quality standards.
Boeing has stated that it was implementing an improvement in the component’s design, so that the door plug can only be closed after proper fixation. In addition, it also said that it is committed to reinforcing the safety and quality culture in all its operations.
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