The reputation of Boeing faced further criticism at two Senate committee hearings where witnesses raised concerns about the safety and construction practices of Boeing airplanes. One key witness was Sam Salehpour, a Boeing engineer and whistleblower who has been threatened for bringing up safety concerns over the years. He expressed serious concerns about the safety of the 787 and 777 aircraft, noting that Boeing used excessive force to correct misalignment between sections of planes, leading to gaps larger than allowed by the company’s standards.
Boeing defended its construction standards, stating that even when gaps are wider than permitted, inspections show no signs of fatigue or issues after years of service. Salehpour disagreed with Boeing’s assurances, stating that even minute discrepancies can be life-threatening when planes are in flight. He also criticized Boeing’s safety culture, claiming that his concerns were dismissed or prevented from being documented by his superiors when brought up. Despite Salehpour’s claims, Boeing issued a statement emphasizing the safety and durability of both the 787 Dreamliner and the 777 aircraft.
Another witness, Ed Pierson, a former Boeing manager, accused Boeing of a lack of documentation regarding an incident involving Alaska Airlines and a missing door plug on a Boeing 737 Max flight. Pierson alleged a cover-up by Boeing, as crucial records detailing the work done on the Alaska Airlines airplane were allegedly withheld from federal investigators. Senators from both parties expressed concern over the allegations, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal stating that Boeing’s safety culture has come under scrutiny due to mounting allegations of poor practices.
Blumenthal mentioned that his committee has heard from other Boeing whistleblowers, highlighting an environment where individuals are afraid to speak out due to threats of job loss. He stressed that Boeing is facing a crucial moment that is not isolated to a single incident. Boeing has encouraged employees to report safety concerns, but Sen. Ron Johnson emphasized the importance of hearing from whistleblowers to ensure public confidence in airplane safety. Johnson and other committee members expressed concern over the revelations from the witnesses and the need to investigate these claims further.
The hearings shed light on the ongoing challenges faced by Boeing in maintaining its reputation and addressing safety concerns within its operations. The testimony from whistleblowers and former Boeing employees highlighted serious deficiencies in the company’s safety practices and documentation procedures. Senators emphasized the need for accountability and transparency from Boeing to ensure the safety of passengers and restore public confidence in the aviation industry. The hearings served as a wakeup call for Boeing to address these issues and implement necessary changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
