Boeing recently announced that the head of its 737 Max program, Ed Clark, is stepping down in light of a panel blowout incident during an Alaska Airlines flight. This incident caused a brief federal grounding of the aircraft type and led to increased scrutiny of Boeing’s operations. In his place, Katie Ringgold will take over as president and general manager of the program and the company’s Renton, Washington site.
The CEO of Boeing’s commercial airplane unit, Stan Deal, emphasized the company’s commitment to ensuring that every airplane they deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements. Deal stated that the customers deserve nothing less and announced several leadership changes to support this enhanced focus.
As part of the restructuring, Boeing named Elizabeth Lund to the newly created position of senior vice president of quality for the commercial airplane unit. She will continue to report to Stan Deal, and these leadership changes are being implemented immediately. Deal expressed gratitude for Ed Clark’s contributions over his 18 years of service to Boeing.
The incident aboard the Alaska Airlines flight on January 5th adds to a series of crises that Boeing has faced, including the fatal crashes of the Boeing 737 Max 8 in 2018 and 2019. Quality flaws on Boeing planes have also resulted in delivery delays, with misdrilled holes on some Max planes causing further setbacks.
Following the panel blowout incident, federal regulators have increased inspections and restrictions on Boeing’s operations. The National Transportation Safety Board’s preliminary investigation revealed that bolts on the panel had not been properly installed before the plane was handed over to Alaska Airlines. The Federal Aviation Administration has also imposed limitations on Boeing’s production until they are satisfied with the company’s quality controls.
While Boeing grapples with production line issues and quality concerns, its rival Airbus has been ramping up production and deliveries of new planes. The delays and restrictions on Boeing’s operations have resulted in frustration from CEOs of airline companies, who are eagerly awaiting new planes to meet the demand for post-pandemic travel.
The shake-up at Boeing’s 737 Max program reflects the company’s ongoing challenges in maintaining quality and safety standards in its aircraft production. The leadership changes and increased scrutiny from regulators highlight the importance of addressing these issues promptly to rebuild trust with customers and ensure the safe operation of Boeing planes.