The FAA has proposed fines of €2.89m against Boeing for safety violations, including quality-control issues and interference with safety officials’ independence.
Violations were identified at Boeing’s Renton, Washington factory and Spirit AeroSystems’ Wichita, Kansas plant between September 2023 and February 2024.
A Boeing employee pressured an inspector to approve a non-compliant B737 MAX to meet delivery schedules.
The January 2024 Alaska Airlines B737-9 door plug blowout prompted an emergency landing and renewed scrutiny of Boeing’s production practices.
Boeing has implemented a Safety & Quality Plan with performance indicators to improve safety and accountability.
FAA shared: “The investigators found ‘hundreds of quality system violations’ at Boeing’s B737 factory in Renton, Washington, and at subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ plant in Wichita, Kansas. We regret the January 5, 2024, door-plug accident and pledge to continue to work on strengthening our safety culture and improving first-time quality and accountability across our operations.”
