Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has given approval for Boeing 737 Maxine planes to resume flights, following a grounding that was put into effect after a door panel blew out on an Alaska Airlines flight. This incident had sparked concerns about the safety of the aircraft, leaving many flyers wondering if they would feel secure boarding a Boeing plane again.
In light of this decision, there has been a mixed response from experts and individuals within the aviation industry. Ed Pearson, a former Boeing 737 factory manager and executive director for the Foundation for Aviation Safety, expressed his concerns about the FAA's decision. He believes it is a 'horrible' and 'irresponsible' choice. Pearson cited multiple incidents involving Boeing planes and raised questions about the company's leadership and manufacturing processes. He emphasized that the CEO and senior executives appear to be disconnected from the frontline workers and their concerns. According to Pearson, there have been at least 20 serious production defects in the 737 Max since its grounding, suggesting that passenger safety may still be at risk.
When asked about his expectations for the CEO of Boeing, Pearson questioned whether he had ever spent time on the factory floors and engaged with the employees facing supply chain issues and a lack of quality control support. Pearson highlighted the importance of visible leadership within the organization and criticized the CEO for not being present in the company's facilities.
Regarding the impact of the pandemic on Boeing's workforce, Pearson acknowledged a significant loss of experienced employees, including senior engineers and manufacturing talent. He noted that the loss of experienced individuals can affect the quality of the aircraft and production process. Pearson also mentioned that the two crashes involving Boeing planes were not only influenced by design flaws but also manufacturing defects, an aspect that the company tends to overlook.
As for Pearson's own family, he stated that they fly but purposefully avoid flying in the 737-8 and 737-9 Maxine planes. He expressed his frustration that passengers should not have to worry about the specific type of plane they are flying on and emphasized the need for assurance and trust in the safety of all aircraft.
The FAA's decision to allow Boeing 737 Maxine planes back into service has sparked discussions and raised important questions about the company's safety practices and procedures. While the decision may bring relief to some, concerns and skepticism remain prevalent within the aviation industry and among passengers.
