Boeing’s CEO Set to Retire Without Accountability for His Tenure’s Failures

Despite the numerous mistakes and safety issues under CEO Dave Calhoun’s leadership — including a dozen corporate whistleblowers, multiple aircraft groundings, and a plane’s fuselage blowing off midair — he remains unaccountable.

Boeing’s board of directors has continued to reward Calhoun lavishly, granting him a salary and stock options exceeding $20 million annually, along with a $45 million golden parachute upon his retirement later this year.

Boeing’s customers, the airlines, haven’t held Calhoun accountable either, due to the duopoly shared with Airbus. Once airlines commit to a particular manufacturer, switching would require substantial time and money for retraining specialized staff.

Similarly, the flying public has little influence, as they have even fewer choices regarding the aircraft they fly.

Government oversight had been minimal until a recent incident on January 5, when a Boeing jet’s door plug blew off shortly after takeoff, prompting renewed attention from regulators and lawmakers.

For the first time, Calhoun testified before lawmakers on Tuesday, facing rigorous questioning from both Republican and Democratic senators. He apologized to the families of the 346 victims of two 737 Max crashes that occurred before he became CEO and acknowledged Boeing’s need to regain public trust. However, he deflected personal responsibility, a point emphasized by Republican Sen. Josh Hawley, who criticized Calhoun for Boeing’s poor financial performance and significant pay disparities.

Calhoun defended Boeing’s culture, expressing pride in the company’s safety record, despite Hawley’s criticism. Calhoun claimed, “I believe strongly in accountability,” yet he failed to answer questions about company policies and actions regarding whistleblowers and safety lapses.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal called the hearing a “moment of reckoning for Boeing,” suggesting that substantial changes might require new leadership. While Calhoun avoided accepting personal responsibility during the hearing, the government may yet hold him accountable. The Federal Aviation Administration is reviewing Boeing’s safety improvement plans, and the Justice Department has initiated a criminal investigation into the January 5 incident.

Despite the grilling, it seems unlikely that Calhoun will face significant consequences for his tenure’s failures. Aerospace advisor Richard Aboulafia commented, “[Calhoun] needs to go. He has shown a strong desire to double down on what’s bad,” indicating that real change at Boeing may require Calhoun’s departure.