ALBAWABA - Boeing is under renewed scrutiny after an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revealed troubling safety and quality concerns at its manufacturing facilities.
The FAA's six-week audit, published on Wednesday, found that Boeing factory workers were pressured to prioritize production speed over quality, often receiving insufficient training to perform their tasks.
The findings add to a growing list of problems for Boeing, which is already dealing with an ongoing strike by 33,000 union workers and concerns about the safety of its 737 Max aircraft.
Earlier this year, a door plug blew off a 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines, leading to a federal investigation. It was revealed that the plane had left Boeing's factory without four necessary bolts to secure the plug, underscoring gaps in the company's manufacturing process.
The report also highlighted Boeing’s inability to thoroughly document nonconforming parts and conduct adequate quality inspections, raising questions about the safety of its planes. In addition, the FAA report criticized its own oversight, acknowledging that its regulatory approach had been too lenient, according to Bloomberg.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker testified that while the FAA has taken a more hands-on approach, including assigning inspectors to individually certify each new aircraft, Boeing still faces challenges in fixing its internal safety culture.
Boeing responded by stating it is committed to improving safety and quality in its production processes. "We’ve taken important steps to foster a safety culture," the company said in a statement, although it admitted that continuous effort is required.
