Boeing is facing scrutiny from Congress as two back-to-back hearings are scheduled to examine safety failures at the aircraft manufacturer. The first hearing will feature an expert panel that found serious flaws in Boeing’s safety culture. The main event will be a second hearing with Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, who claims that sections of the skin on 787 Dreamliner jets are not properly fastened and could potentially break apart. Salehpour has raised his concerns with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which is investigating the quality and safety of Boeing’s manufacturing.
Salehpour is scheduled to testify before a Senate investigations subcommittee, along with another Boeing whistleblower and two aviation technical experts. Lawmakers have requested documents from Boeing dating back six years, seeking information on the manufacturing of Boeing 787 and 777 planes, as well as any safety concerns raised by employees, contractors, or airlines. Boeing has stated that they are cooperating with the inquiry and have offered to provide documents and briefings, denying claims about the 787’s structural integrity. Boeing engineering executives have stated that there have been no findings of fatigue or cracking in composite panels, dismissing Salehpour’s allegations concerning the 777’s fuselage alignment.
Boeing is facing allegations of manufacturing problems, with the company being under investigation since a door-plug panel blew off a 737 Max jetliner during a flight. Investigators are looking into missing bolts in Boeing’s factory, leading to criminal investigations by the Justice Department and regulatory bodies. CEO David Calhoun has highlighted the company’s efforts to improve manufacturing quality and safety culture, but skepticism remains. Senator Tammy Duckworth has criticized both Boeing and the FAA, stating that the agency overlooked Boeing’s past behaviors when certifying the 737 Max. Senators are also seeking FAA documents related to its oversight of Boeing, following concerns about the company’s safety culture and handling of employee concerns.
The Senate Commerce Committee is set to hold hearings with expert panels on Boeing’s safety culture and oversight. Despite improvements made after the 737 Max crashes, the expert panel found that Boeing’s safety culture remains flawed, and employees who raise concerns may face pressure and retaliation. The panel includes MIT aeronautics lecturer Javier de Luis, who lost his sister in the second Max crash. This scrutiny comes in the wake of previous incidents involving Boeing aircraft and raises questions about the company’s commitment to safety and quality control. The outcome of these hearings and investigations could have significant implications for Boeing and the aviation industry as a whole.
