After a dramatic incident: Boeing fires the head of the 737 Max program

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Boeing’s 737 Max program is seeing a change in leadership following a dramatic incident on one of the planes. Ed Clark, the senior executive previously in charge, is leaving the company with immediate effect. Boeing announced this on Wednesday. Katie Ringgold, who was previously responsible for deliveries, will be her successor.

In early January, part of the fuselage in the 26th row of seats broke shortly after takeoff while climbing aboard a nearly new 737-9 Max with more than 170 people on board. Some configurations of more seat types have a door at this point. The affected version of the 737-9 Max has a hatch covering the opening instead. No one was seriously injured in the incident on the Alaska Airlines flight; Coincidentally, the opening two seats were vacant.

After several weeks of investigation, the US accident investigation agency NTSB assumes that the part was missing fixing bolts. Ringgold will also take over from Clark the management of the factory in Renton, Washington, where the machines are assembled. The incident put pressure on Boeing to quickly improve quality controls.

Problems with incorrectly drilled holes

Boeing is now creating a new position in senior management of its commercial aircraft division. Elizabeth Lund will handle quality control both within the group and between suppliers, division boss Stan Deal wrote in an email to employees. She previously managed the production of all Boeing passenger aircraft. The fuselage of the 737 Max models was built primarily by supplier Spirit Aerosystems.

Deal assured that Boeing is focused on ensuring that every aircraft delivered meets or exceeds quality and safety requirements. The 737 program had, among other things, problems with incorrectly drilled holes in the fuselage.

The US aviation authority FAA inspected Boeing production and halted the plane maker’s plans to expand production of 737 Max models until further notice after the incident. The group needs this to process order books. Customers should be prepared for long waiting times. (SDA)

Source :Blick