Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun took responsibility for a near-miss with Alaska Airlines on Tuesday, pledging “full transparency” as the aviation giant tries to recover from its latest crisis.
“We’re going to approach this number one by acknowledging our mistake,” Calhoun told officials at a safety meeting held after Friday’s emergency landing, which came after one of the plane’s panels blew off mid-flight. “We will approach this with 100 percent and full transparency every step of the way.”
Calhoun, who rose to Boeing’s top job in January 2020 as the company was reeling from two fatal 737 MAX crashes, pledged to cooperate with the National Transportation Safety Board, which is investigating the incident.
The NTSB is “as good as it gets,” Calhoun said, according to comments released by the company. “I trust every step they take and they will come to a conclusion.”
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US regulators with the Federal Aviation Administration have grounded 171 737 MAX 9 planes with the same configuration as the Alaska Airlines jet.
The affected panel, a door plug, is used to fill an unnecessary emergency exit on airplanes.
NTSB investigators suggested Monday night that the component had not been properly installed.
On Tuesday, the FAA said it continues to work with Boeing to finalize detailed inspection guidelines for grounded planes.
“Boeing offered an initial version of the guidance yesterday which they are now revising in light of the comments received in response,” the FAA said Tuesday. “Upon receipt of Boeing’s revised version of the guidance, the FAA will conduct a thorough review.”
Boeing said it is in contact with customers and the FAA about the requirements.
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“As part of the process, we are making updates based on their feedback and requirements,” a Boeing spokesman said.
Source: AFP