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Mike Whitaker, chief of the Federal Aviation Administration,
said in an online post Friday that his agency also has more work
to do in its oversight of Boeing.
Whitaker, who plans to step down in two weeks to let
President-elect Donald Trump pick his own FAA administrator,
looked back on his decision last January to ground all 737 Max
jets with similar panels called door plugs. Later, the FAA put
more inspectors in Boeing factories, limited production of new
737s, and required Boeing to come up with a plan to fix
manufacturing problems.
“Boeing is working to make progress executing its comprehensive
plan in the areas of safety, quality improvement and effective
employee engagement and training,” Whitaker said. “But this is
not a one-year project. What’s needed is a fundamental cultural
shift at Boeing that’s oriented around safety and quality above
profits. That will require sustained effort and commitment from
Boeing, and unwavering scrutiny on our part.”
The National Transportation Safety Board continues to
investigate the door-plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines Max jet.
Despite a gaping hole in the side, pilots landed the plane
safely in Portland, Oregon, and no serious injuries were
reported.
A month after the accident, investigators said in a preliminary
report that bolts used to help secure the panel were not
replaced after work in a Boeing factory.
Whitaker said the FAA will review any recommendations that the
safety board makes to improve FAA's oversight work. Last summer,
he admitted that FAA's scrutiny of Boeing wasn't good enough.
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