Boeing has 90 days to address quality and safety problems in the production of its aircraft, said the FAA, the US civil aviation agency.
“Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said on Wednesday.
Making foundational change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and expectations.”
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According to him, the planemaker must present a comprehensive plan to resolve systemic quality control problems on its assembly lines.
The determination is part of a process of scrutiny of the company following the incident with the door plug of an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 that detached in flight on January 5th.
The piece, it seems, left the Renton factory without the four bolts that secure it to the fuselage.
Production rate capped
Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun commented on the FAA statement. “Boeing will develop the comprehensive action plan with measurable criteria that demonstrates the profound change that Administrator Whitaker and the FAA demand. Our Boeing leadership team is totally committed to meeting this challenge,” he said.
The company intended to increase the 737 MAX production rate to 42 aircraft per month in 2024, but the FAA capped the rate at 38 jets.
At the same time, the type certification of the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 10 models remains undefined, frustrating several customers who have been waiting for the new aircraft for years.
