Boeing Faces Record-Keeping Issue in NTSB Investigation of Alaska Airlines 737 Max Incident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is facing challenges in its investigation into a January incident involving an Alaska Airlines 737-9, as Boeing’s CEO admits to lacking records for work done on a door panel that subsequently detached from the aircraft. This revelation complicates efforts to pinpoint responsibility for the malfunction, according to NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy. The incident under scrutiny occurred on January 5, and despite requests for information and security footage, Boeing’s practice of erasing video after 30 days has left investigators without crucial evidence.

In a follow-up to her Senate Commerce Committee testimony, Homendy disclosed that, although Boeing later provided names of 25 door-related employees, the company has yet to identify who specifically worked on the affected panel. This panel covers an area where additional emergency exits are not installed. Efforts to obtain this information directly from Boeing CEO David Calhoun have been unsuccessful, with Calhoun stating the company has no records of the job being performed.

While Boeing has pledged ongoing support for the NTSB’s investigation, the absence of detailed work records raises significant concerns about accountability and transparency in aviation manufacturing practices. Moreover, Homendy expressed worry that focusing on individual workers could deter potential witnesses from cooperating with the investigation. To mitigate this, she has instructed her team to safeguard the anonymity of Boeing employees willing to provide information.

This situation underscores the importance of thorough record-keeping and accountability in the aerospace industry, not only for maintaining safety standards but also for ensuring effective oversight and investigation capabilities.

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Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, apple.news