September 25, 2024

Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs
Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations
Chairman: Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) Hearing
FAA Oversight of Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture

Key takeaways from the hearing:

1. Senators expressed concern over the FAA’s passive and reactive oversight of Boeing. They want proactive measures to ensure safety, including better whistleblower protections and unannounced audits.
2. There were recurring concerns about Boeing’s prioritization of speed over quality, and the slow pace of cultural change. They want stricter production caps and for executives at Boeing to be held accountable.
3. The hearing highlighted concerns about Boeing’s treatment of whistleblowers, with several senators pressing the FAA to improve the transparency and handling of retaliation claims.
4. Senators questioned the effectiveness of Boeing’s production cap as a safety measure and urged the FAA to consider alternatives to the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) system to prevent conflicts of interest in certification.

Opening statement from Chairman Sen. Blumenthal (D-CT) addresses ongoing safety and quality issues at Boeing, particularly in relation to the FAA’s oversight. He reflects on the tragic Boeing 737 Max crashes in 2018-2019, which killed 346 people, and expresses concern over recurring safety lapses. Blumenthal emphasizes that despite FAA assurances and Boeing's commitments to improvements, incidents like the January 2024 door plug blowout indicate that safety flaws persist. He highlights whistleblower findings of Boeing prioritizing speed over quality, with many employees feeling pressured to cut corners. The Senator also critiqued Boeing's inspection processes and the FAA's lenient oversight, calling for stronger, proactive measures. He stresses that both Boeing and the FAA must prioritize safety over profit and speed, stressing the need for significant reforms and independent, rigorous FAA audits to ensure compliance.

Opening Statement from ranking Member Sen. Johnson (R-WI) takes a more sympathetic approach towards Boeing and the FAA, acknowledging the challenges of achieving perfection in manufacturing. He emphasizes that while perfection is expected from Boeing, it is difficult to attain. Johnson believes that sacrificing safety for profit is not a deliberate act, as aircraft accidents would be disastrous for the industry’s profits. He states there is pressure due to the commercial demands from the public and airlines to maintain production. He points out that he still doesn't fully understand how the MCAS system, a key factor in the Boeing 737 Max crashes, was approved without sufficient training. He is disappointed that airline CEOs were reluctant to testify, as he believes their input could provide the public with reassurance that safety measures are robust.

Notes from Witness Michael G. Whitaker - Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Opening Statement:

• The witness offers sympathies for families and victims of past air accidents and emphasizes the importance of FAA’s Whistleblower and Safety Hotline programs to encourage employees to report safety concerns without fear of retaliation.
• He mentioned that earlier this year, the FAA directed Boeing to develop a comprehensive plan to address systemic quality control ad production issues which they submitted in May.
• After January 5th, the FAA has increased safety inspectors at Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems facilities
• They engage directly with employees, audit quality systems, and use KPI’s to evaluate risks
• The oversight also entails overseeing Boeing’s in-service fleet and managing oversight through the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) process
• The FAA is currently reassessing the safety management programs to become more proactive in identifying risks before they escalate, using data for real-time insights
• The FAA understands the importance of restoring public confidence in aviation with Boeing needing to change their safety practices, and they have been engaging with Boeing’s leadership to ensure long-term safety improvements