The Federal Aviation Administration is turning up the heat on Boeing with a tight 90-day window to outline a plan for enhancing the safety and quality of its airplane manufacturing operations. The word from the FAA followed a series of engagements with Boeing honchos, including the aerospace giant's CEO, Dave Calhoun.
After laying down the gauntlet at the FAA's D.C. headquarters, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker was unwavering, According to The Columbian, "Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements". He took a firm stance, saying "Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones, and expectations."
KATU News details that the FAA's crackdown follows a meeting between Whitaker and Boeing's CEO David Calhoun, along with other top brass from the airliner manufacturer. The directive comes amid an FAA audit of Boeing's assembly lines near Seattle, which are responsible for aircraft such as the 737 Max – the model that suffered a door-panel blowout in January due to a reported maintenance lapse.
In response to the FAA's stern directive, Boeing's Calhoun assured, "We have a clear picture of what needs to be done" because of company and independent reviews. Pledging action, he said, "Boeing will develop the comprehensive action plan with measurable criteria that demonstrate the profound change that Administrator Whitaker, and the FAA demand." This promise comes on the heels of an expert panel report finding disturbing gaps in the company's safety culture, a report Boeing insists it is already addressing by revamping its 737 leadership as OPB reports.
What remains to be seen is Boeing’s trajectory in the coming months. The FAA has yet to signal the consequences should Boeing fail to deliver within the allotted 90 days. However, the pressure is palpable, and the world watches on as the storied airplane maker scrambles to navigate this latest bout of turbulence.
