Boeing, a major aerospace company known for manufacturing and selling aircraft, rockets, satellites, and more, is a familiar fixture in the Pacific Northwest. Today, most flights are taken on planes manufactured by Boeing or Airbus. Recent reports reveal that Boeing’s use of substandard parts in its aircraft has led to over 10 emergency landings since the beginning of the year. While the Boston Globe reports, “Getting on a plane is not only a safer way to travel than getting behind the wheel of a car, it is safer than any mode of travel,” the recent developments with Boeing have raised questions and concerns about how safe flying really is today for travelers.
Many have learned about Boeing’s ongoing issues through the death of 62-year-old whistleblower John Barnett. According to The Washington Post, he was found deceased in his truck due to an apparent suicide. This occurred just days after testifying against the airline company and just before he was set to wrap up his deposition testimony. Throughout his trial, he stated that workers under pressure purposefully used substandard parts on aircraft during production and observed serious problems with the oxygen system. In addition, one in four oxygen masks would not work if deployed.
“As a quality manager at Boeing, you’re the last line of defense before a defect makes it out to the flying public,” Barnett stated to the press. “And I haven’t seen a plane out of Charleston yet that I’d put my name on saying it’s safe and airworthy.”
This occurred amid a series of incidents publicized this year, raising concerns about the company’s practices. On January 5, Alaska Airlines flight 1282 had a door panel blow off midair. According to NBC News, “‘many’ of the aircraft were found to have loose bolts” in Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. This development, along with circumstances surrounding John Barnett’s death, raised safety concerns about Boeing’s aircraft.
Since then, over 10 incidents that prompted emergency landings have been recorded with Boeing, primarily involving the 737 model. Some of the incidents include nosedives, hydraulic fluid leaks, fumes in the cabin, pieces of the engine detaching, and landing gear tire detachments, with several resulting in serious injuries and deaths. Major airlines using Boeing aircraft include, but are not limited to, Alaska, Southwest, United, American, and Delta. United Airlines has had the most reported incidents this year.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) conducted a six-week audit of the production of the Boeing 737 Max aircraft after the incident with Alaska flight 1282. During this time, they found “dozens” of issues at production facilities. The FAA reported that mechanics working at Boeing used Dawn dish soap instead of lubricant on a door seal and cleaned up using a “wet cheesecloth.” They also reported the mechanics checked a door seal using a hotel key card. Boeing failed 33 out of 89 product audits. Six engineers at Boeing reportedly averaged a score of 58% on a test that analyzed how well they understood the quality-control processes of their company.
Spirit Aerosystems, the world’s largest manufacturer of aerostructures for commercial airlines, builds several important pieces of Boeing aircraft and also ultimately failed to pass all of the FAA’s safety manufacturing standards.
Overall, Boeing’s stock has dropped nearly 30% since the end of December. While concerns about Boeing’s 737 model are valid, readers should be aware that flying is safer than ever, according to aviation experts at NewsNation.
