RENTON—United States Department of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy toured Boeing’s 737 facility in Renton on Thursday, March 13, to follow up on the status of Boeing’s Comprehensive Safety Plan.
“My message to Boeing during our recent visit was one of tough love,” Secretary Duffy said. “Acting Administrator Chris Rocheleau and I have made clear that the FAA will continue to cap Boeing’s production of the 737 MAX until they can demonstrate sustainable progress on safety. Only then can they regain the trust of the American people.”
During his visit, Secretary Duffy also got a chance to sit in the cockpit of Boeing’s state-of-the-art simulators for the 777-9 and 737 Max planes with Boeing’s Chief pilot. The simulators are essential for preparing aviators for real-world challenges.
In the wake of the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident on January 5, 2024, the FAA gave Boeing 90 days to provide a comprehensive plan to improve its safety management and quality assurance, including in the supply chain.
My message to @Boeing during our recent visit was one of tough love. Acting Administrator @FAA_Chris and I have made clear that the @FAANews will continue to cap Boeing’s production of the 737 MAX until they can demonstrate sustainable progress on safety. Only then can they… pic.twitter.com/FTfVwCJfK4
— Secretary Sean Duffy (@SecDuffy) March 17, 2025
On March 4, 2024, the FAA “halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX,” as a financial incentive for the company to address what the FAA calls, “production quality issues.” A six-week FAA audit of the Boeing 737 Max 9 production line found multiple “manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control” problems. Regulators also required the aircraft manufacturer to develop a comprehensive plan within 90 days to address the “systemic quality-control issues.”
On Thursday, May 30, the FAA accepted Boeing’s comprehensive “Product Safety and Quality Plan,” that aimed to tighten supplier oversite and manufacturing processes.
On March 25, Boeing’s President and CEO Dave Calhoun, along with BCA president and board chair, announce their resignations. A month later, on April 25, S&P Global downgraded Boeing from “stable” to “negative” a day after Moody’s similar announcement.
On July 31, Boeing’s Board of Directors elected Robert “Kelly” Ortberg as the company’s new president and chief executive officer (CEO), effective August 8, 2024.
Author: Mario Lotmore
