Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is set to testify in front of the Senate on Tuesday, where he plans to apologize for the company’s recent safety failures. He will acknowledge issues with Boeing’s safety culture but will dispute claims that the company retaliated against whistleblowers who raised safety concerns. Calhoun recognizes that Boeing’s culture is flawed but asserts that the company is taking steps to address the issues and move forward.
Boeing has faced intense scrutiny following a series of safety incidents, including a January incident involving an Alaska Air Boeing 737 Max flight. The incident led to a door plug blowing off, causing damage to the plane and harming Boeing’s reputation. Calhoun’s testimony before the Senate’s permanent subcommittee on investigations comes amidst ongoing federal investigations and congressional hearings into Boeing’s safety practices.
At a previous hearing, Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testified that he and others who raised safety concerns faced pressure not to do so, leading to concerns about the safety of Boeing’s 787 and 777 aircraft. Salehpour stated that he was ignored and told to remain silent, despite his legitimate concerns. Calhoun refutes these claims in his prepared remarks, stating that Boeing is committed to empowering employees to speak up about safety concerns and has policies in place to prevent retaliation against whistleblowers.
Calhoun’s prepared remarks include an apology to the family members of the victims of two fatal 737 Max crashes, acknowledging that safety is paramount when it comes to airplane travel. He also apologizes for the impact of the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident earlier in the year, where no fatalities were reported. Calhoun’s testimony will be his first since becoming Boeing CEO in January 2020 and could be his only appearance on Capitol Hill, as he plans to retire before the end of the year.
Despite the challenges Boeing has faced in recent years, Calhoun remains committed to addressing safety concerns and improving the company’s culture. His testimony before the Senate is an opportunity to acknowledge past failures, apologize for the impact on victims and their families, and outline the steps Boeing is taking to prevent future safety incidents. As Boeing continues to navigate the fallout from recent events, Calhoun’s testimony will be closely watched for insights into the company’s commitment to safety and culture change.
