Multiple incidents involving Boeing planes have raised concerns about the safety and quality control of the aircraft manufacturer. The most recent incident involved an Alaska Airlines flight where a door panel on a Boeing 737 Max 9 plane blew out mid-flight over Oregon. Passengers on board were terrified and thought their lives were in danger. As a result, a class action lawsuit has been filed, and federal authorities are currently investigating the incident.
In another incident, a massive Atlas Air cargo plane experienced an engine malfunction shortly after takeoff from a Miami airport. Flames were seen shooting from the plane in the sky. The engine failure is suspected to be uncontained, potentially caused by a foreign object ingested by the engine or a failure of a part within the engine.
These incidents have added to the growing concerns surrounding Boeing's recent batch of planes. Some industry experts attribute these malfunctions to a shift in Boeing's culture and focus on profits rather than prioritizing safety. The large number of parts in a single aircraft, such as the 500,000 parts in a 737 Max, make inspections and quality control crucial. However, even with around 1,000 inspections per airplane per day, issues continue to arise.
Ryanair CEO, Michael O'Leary, has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Boeing's lack of quality control over the past few years. He highlighted problems with aircraft deliveries, noting small defects and ill-fitting components. These concerns further impact passenger confidence in Boeing planes.
Boeing, which historically had a strong safety record prior to the incidents involving the 737 Max planes a couple of years ago, is now facing a major PR disaster. To rebuild trust, the company has announced changes, such as allowing airline customers to inspect the production facilities and implementing more stringent audits and inspections.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently conducting a thorough investigation into the Alaska Airlines incident and Boeing's overall operations. While some may question the ability of the FAA to conduct impartial investigations, experts express confidence in the agency's abilities and emphasize the collaborative efforts between the FAA, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Boeing in ensuring aviation safety.
In conclusion, the recent incidents involving Boeing planes have highlighted concerns about the company's safety measures and quality control. These incidents, along with past issues, have eroded passenger confidence in Boeing aircraft. The FAA investigation, along with Boeing's announced changes, aim to address these concerns and ensure the safety of future flights.
