The United States NTSB has sanctioned Boeing for holding a media event that it says included unauthorised investigative information about the Alaska Airlines 1282 accident
NTSB is taking action against Boeing, including removing its access to investigation information and coordinating with the DOJ Fraud Division.
Boeing is a party to the NTSB investigation and the NTSB says it violated the party agreement by sharing investigative information with the media
Boeing apologised for overstepping the NTSB’s role and expressed readiness to answer questions as the investigation continues.
The briefing was embargoed until June 27 and applied to the invited media at the briefing, including Travel Extra editor Eoghan Corry. Embargoes are common practice during media briefings in the run up to air shows in order to provide journalists with sufficient time to prepare coverage on topics discussed.
The NTSB said: “After the NTSB learned of the unauthorized release of information and requested additional information about the press briefing, Boeing provided the agency with a transcript. The transcript revealed that Boeing provided non-public investigative information to the news media that NTSB had not verified or authorised for release. In addition, Boeing offered opinions and analysis on factors it suggested were causal to the accident.”
A Boeing spokesperson said: “as we continue to take responsibility and work transparently, we conducted an in-depth briefing on our safety & quality plan and shared context on the lessons we have learned from the January 5 accident. We deeply regret that some of our comments, intended to make clear our responsibility in the accident and explain the actions we are taking, overstepped the NTSB’s role as the source of investigative information. We apologise to the NTSB and stand ready to answer any questions as the agency continues its investigation.”
