The first day of the NTSB hearing into the 737 MAX door plug incident painted a disturbing picture of Boeing’s company culture of pressure and prioritizing speed over safety.
Boeing, the manufacturer of the affected aircraft, faced scathing criticism through the first day of the hearing. Witnesses described a high-pressure environment where workers were pushed to the brink.
A repeated theme of the first day’s hearing session was the observed lack of safety and accountability. This was evident throughout the production processes in question, according to witness testimonies.
Worker Testimony Reveals Pressure Environment
The hearing forcefully highlighted the immense pressure placed on factory workers. Testimony revealed that management assigned employees tasks they were unqualified to perform. This notably included the critical operation of opening and closing the door plug.
Spirit Aerosystems originally manufactured the door plug assembly. Boeing factory workers later removed the door plug to repair damaged rivets.
During that removal and subsequent re-fitting process, the bolts which help to secure the door plug in place were not reattached.
This specific task was later found to be the root cause of the in-flight decompression. It highlights a systemic failure within Boeing’s manufacturing process.
Both the NTSB and Boeing have said that officials are yet to determine exactly who removed and reinstalled the door plug during the production process.
Safety Approach was ‘Garbage’
The door plug incident itself was a terrifying ordeal for passengers and crew. Witnesses described the decompression event as violent. The force of the escaping air powerful enough to blow open the aircraft’s cockpit door. It was strong enough to rip the co-pilot’s headset from their head.
This harrowing account underscores the potential risks associated with such failures and the possibility of catastrophic consequences.
Beyond the immediate incident, the hearing exposed a deeper issue with Boeing’s safety culture. Witnesses characterized the company’s approach to safety as “garbage,” indicating a pervasive disregard for employee and passenger well-being.
One Boeing worker involved in door installations said he was not directly told to take shortcuts, but there was significant pressure to keep the production line rolling.
Furthermore, the lack of accountability within the organization allowed dangerous practices to persist, creating a recipe for disaster.
The Alaska Airlines door plug incident serves as a broader reminder of the importance of prioritizing safety in all aspects of aviation.
The hearing’s revelations have raised serious concerns about Boeing’s practices and have ignited calls for significant changes within the company. The NTSB hearing continues into Day 2 today, Wednesday 7 August. You can join the webcast online from 0900 EST here.
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