Safety Grilling for Boeing CEO as Families of Crash Victims Watch

Boeing CEO Grilled by US Senators Over Safety Concerns

Apology and Tough Questions Regarding Boeing’s Safety Culture

The chief executive of Boeing was grilled by U.S. senators on Tuesday about the company’s mounting safety and manufacturing shortfalls while relatives of people who died in two crashes of Boeing 737 Max jetliners looked on.

David Calhoun turned and apologized directly to the families holding pictures of their loved ones before facing tough questions about Boeing’s stated commitment to safety — despite whistleblower complaints and mid-flight emergencies in the years since those 2018 and 2019 crashes, which killed 346 people, that have raised intense questions suggesting otherwise.

“I apologize for the grief that we have caused,” he told the families.

He told the committee in prepared remarks that Boeing’s safety culture “is far from perfect, but we are taking action and making progress.” He reiterated that promise and positive outlook multiple times under questioning.

Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, the chair of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations that held Tuesday’s hearing, called Calhoun’s appearance “a reckoning.”

Whistleblower Allegations and Investigation

Since then, multiple whistleblowers have come forward to the committee alleging oversight gaps and manufacturing shortcuts that prioritize speed and profits over safety.

Hours before Calhoun was set to appear, the Senate panel released a 204-page report with new allegations from a whistleblower who fears that “nonconforming” parts — ones that could be defective or aren’t properly documented — are going into 737 Max jets.

The report concluded Boeing “continues to prioritize profits, push limits, and disregard its workers,” including punishing those who try to come forward and raise concerns.

Future of Boeing Under Scrutiny

Calhoun acknowledged retaliatory actions have been taken against whistleblowers within the company, but also said those who have done so have faced discipline. In both cases, he would not provide specific numbers or details.

Two whistleblowers have died in recent months — one of whom by suicide after testifying to the Senate committee.

Calhoun, who was appointed to the top job in 2020, has already announced he plans to step down as CEO by the end of this year. A successor has not yet been named.

Justice Department Consideration and Investigations

Calhoun’s testimony comes as the U.S. Justice Department considers whether to prosecute Boeing for violating a 2021 settlement following the fatal crashes.

The department determined last month that Boeing violated settlement terms that shielded the company from prosecution for fraud for allegedly misleading regulators who approved the 737 Max. Prosecutors have until July 7 to decide what to do next.

Boeing says it has slowed production, encouraged employees to report safety concerns, and appointed a retired Navy admiral to lead a quality review

Boeing disclosed that it hasn’t received a single order for a new Max in two months.

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