Boeing Needs Years to Rebuild Safety Culture, Says FAA Chief

Boeing will require three to five years to overhaul its safety culture, according to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Whitaker. Speaking before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Whitaker emphasized that addressing Boeing’s safety issues is a long-term effort, not a quick fix. “It is not a six-month program,” Whitaker stated, noting ongoing discussions with Boeing’s board and CEO.

The FAA’s increased scrutiny follows a January incident where a fuselage panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max shortly after takeoff. Subsequent audits exposed several manufacturing and safety lapses at Boeing’s facilities. While Boeing has made progress, Whitaker said, “they’re not where they need to be yet.”

To address these issues, the FAA has placed more inspectors at Boeing’s factories and is actively monitoring the company’s corrective actions. Boeing submitted a comprehensive improvement plan in May, which includes performance metrics the FAA tracks in real-time to assess progress.

Whitaker also acknowledged that the FAA had been too reactive in its oversight of Boeing before the January incident and has since implemented reforms aimed at identifying risks proactively. New legislation introduced by Senate lawmakers seeks to further strengthen the FAA’s safety management system and address prior lapses.

Boeing’s production of the 737 Max remains capped until its factories demonstrate sustained improvement in safety practices. The FAA will measure progress by reviewing employee feedback and whistleblower reports to ensure a cultural shift toward safety.

Related news: https://airguide.info/?s=boeing, https://airguide.info/category/air-travel-business/safety/

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, gmtoday.com