If you read my previous post, you will know that the recent failure of a door plug in an Alaska Air flight was presaged by the air crashes of two 737 Max-8 flights, one in 2018 and one five months later, in 2019. Not only was the company culpable for shoddy, profit-driven practices, but so was the FAA, which had delegated safety inspections to Boeing employees, a clear conflict of interest if there ever was one.
The following deals with the aftermath of the recent near-disaster on Alaskan Air, which should not have been a surprise to those in the know. Belatedly, it would seem the FAA is ready to start enforcing real standards for this corporate behemoth.
Will these changes be enough to avert future catastrophes? A nervous public awaits the answer.
I'm not too impressed with the quick fix shown!
ReplyDeleteThey should use a better quality tape for the poly!
TB
It's all about investment in the proper materials, eh, TB. That and people with integrity.
DeleteThe inspectors have to be free of Boeing strings; no pals, no buddies, no promises for better jobs if they cooperate. Personally I don't think corporate crap will stop until senior executives are behind bars.
ReplyDeleteI fear that when it comes to the leadership of corporations, Toby, prison is not an option. Only if you are a lone wolf like Bernie Madoff or Samuel Bankman-Fried do you face real consequences. All part of the political theatre we live with.
DeleteBoeing Motto: If it don't fit, get a bigger hammer.
ReplyDeleteBoeing's transition from an "engineering excellence" to a "shareholder value" organization will take a decade or more after the senior management and Board of Directors are replaced, if the transition is possible at all.. The new management may have to purge a lot of lower level management as well.
It is a very sick company and only its monopolistic status as a US company that's too big to fail keeps it alive. And, the fact that Airbus, its main competitor, does not have the capacity to fill all of Boeing's orders.
As a nasty thought, China is just certifying a rival plane to the 737; China is one of Boeing's largest, if not the largest, market.
This is old news but illustrates Boeing's problems ale long-standing. Boeing tanker jets grounded due to tools and debris left during manufacturing
@Trailblazer
Where is Red Green when he is needed?
Thanks for the link, TB. The problem of debris is a long-standing one, yet another legacy of the McDonnell-Douglas corporate culture. BTW, here is a link you might find of interest:, describing how Boeing wants to be exempted from safety rules so its Max-7 can fly. The only problem is that the safety issue involves the very real possibility of the engine nacelles coming off: https://www.seattletimes.com/business/boeing-aerospace/boeing-wants-faa-to-exempt-max-7-from-safety-rules-to-get-it-in-the-air/
DeleteWith restricted access to competition within the US commercial market and all but guaranteed military contracts that prop up the commercial side , Boeing have been an investors dream ; that is until the EU decided to consolidate their aviation manufacturers and give the private/ government American manufacturers some equal competition.
ReplyDeleteBoeing is an example of the US , and world, economy that runs along a knife edge of success or failure based all too often upon maximising profits above product quality , environmental concerns or the humanity of those that work for these mega corporations.
We are destroying ourselves..
TB
Amen, TB. Amen
DeleteAn interesting article.
ReplyDeletehttps://skiesmag.com/news/spirit-aerosystems-restores-wichita-operations-union-workers-end-strike/#:~:text=Spirit%20AeroSystems%2C%20which%20manufactures%20aerostructures,International%20Association%20of%20Machinists%20and
TB
thanks for the link, TB. Judging by Boeing's recent problems, I'm not sure they are living up to their new contract's remuneration.
DeleteAn amusing note
ReplyDeleteBlinken Stranded After Boeing 737 Breaks Down on Davos Trip
That is, as they say, "delicious" irony, Anon. Or is it nemesis?
ReplyDeleteI worry that at the end of the day we will have little choices other than, Company A or Company B!
ReplyDeleteIt's not just aviation.
Look at your grocery costs!
Look at your phone costs.
Look at your internet costs.
We cannot blame anyone but ourselves as we worship low prices above quality!
TB
You'll find no argument from me here, TB. I would also add, however, government collusion. I don't think they have ever met a corporate titan that they didn't like.
Delete