Boeing Faces Criminal Investigation and Management Shake-Up After 737 Max Incidents

The Boeing 737 Max Crisis: A Timeline of Events

It's been over five years since the tragic plane crashes of the Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which claimed the lives of 346 individuals.

A Near Catastrophe

Fast forward to January 2024, another alarming incident took place when a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 plane at an altitude of 16,000 feet, shortly after departing from Portland, Oregon.

Preliminary reports highlighted that the door panel was missing four essential bolts, raising serious safety concerns.

Legal Actions and Quality Control

The Department of Justice has initiated a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines case, while the Federal Aviation Administration uncovered quality control issues during an audit of Boeing and fuselage maker Spirit AeroSystem's 737 Max production process.

The FAA has imposed restrictions on Boeing's production expansion until it is fully satisfied with the quality control measures.

Management Changes and Criticism

Following the door plug incident, Boeing announced significant changes in its management team, resulting in a slowdown of new jet deliveries and drawing criticism from top airline executives.

Dave Calhoun, the CEO appointed in early 2020 to guide the company through the Max crisis, has announced his decision to step down by the end of 2024. Furthermore, Boeing has also replaced its chairman and the head of its crucial commercial airplane unit.

The Future of Boeing's 737 Max

With the ongoing turbulence in Boeing's 737 Max program, the company faces a challenging road ahead. The implications of the crisis on the future of Boeing's flagship jet remains a topic of intense scrutiny.

Stay informed on the developments by watching the video below.