Boeing's Fixes Will Take Years: FAA Chief Says Changing Company Culture Isn't Easy

Boeing's Fixes Will Take Years: FAA Chief Says Changing Company Culture Isn't EasyOn September 26, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker testified before the U.S

Boeing's Fixes Will Take Years: FAA Chief Says Changing Company Culture Isn't Easy

On September 26, Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker testified before the U.S. Senate, warning that even under FAA oversight, it will take years, not months, to fully overhaul the troubled Boeing company. This sobering statement comes after a Boeing 737 MAX9 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a sudden cabin door opening in flight earlier this year, putting the company under intense scrutiny from Congress, the FAA, and even the Department of Justice.

In response to these incidents, the FAA has implemented a series of measures, including limiting Boeing's production and increasing the number of inspectors at its facilities. However, during a Senate Homeland Security Committee subcommittee hearing, lawmakers questioned whether these measures were enough to force Boeing to address its underlying issues.

Whitaker detailed the FAA's actions, which include creating detailed action plans, increasing inspectors, capping production, and becoming more involved in all aspects of Boeing's operations. However, he emphasized the need for public patience, as "it is not possible to change the culture of an entire company in a matter of months. I think it's going to take years to accomplish that."

This statement sparked concern from Richard Blumenthal, the subcommittee chairman, who argued that these changes should be implemented more urgently. In response, Whitaker said, "Everyone wants a quick fix." However, he also pointed out that although Boeing has addressed some immediate concerns on the manufacturing line, "if we think we can change the culture of 170,000 employees in 18 months, we're fooling ourselves this will be a long fight."

Whitaker also mentioned that the FAA has deployed additional inspectors to Boeing facilities nationwide, bringing the total to 46. However, senators raised concerns about whether this number is sufficient and questioned whether these inspectors were merely going through the motions without thoroughly scrutinizing the factories.

Blumenthal, in particular, questioned whether only 13 inspectors at Boeing's Renton, Washington, facility were enough to oversee a massive facility that spans over 90,000 square meters and employs about 12,000 people. He bluntly stated, "Having only 13 inspectors at the Renton facility by year-end is clearly not enough to serve as a credible, independent force of quality control for the public. That's a fact."

This is Whitaker's second appearance on Capitol Hill this week to brief lawmakers on Boeing's improvement efforts and the FAA's actions following the cabin door incident. Whitaker responded that the FAA plans to increase the total number of inspectors to 55 by the end of the year, with 13 each at the Renton and Everett, Washington, facilities, 13 at the Charleston, South Carolina, facility, and another 16 at various supplier facilities.

Blumenthal and California Senator Laphonza Butler also inquired about the specific roles of FAA inspectors, concerned whether they were truly conducting on-site inspections or merely reviewing documents. Butler directly asked, "How do you translate what you're learning from the inspectors into actual actions that will restore public confidence?"

Whitaker stated that these inspectors will continue to meet with Boeing management, gather feedback, and identify areas where the company still needs to improve based on their findings.

Additionally, senators expressed concern over new data revealed Wednesday by the committee showing that, in a May 2024 employee survey, Boeing employees still felt significant pressure and believed that the company prioritized production speed over product quality.

Boeing responded by saying that it has taken important steps to cultivate a safety culture, empower and encourage all employees to speak up, but this process still requires continued attention. A Boeing spokesperson said in a statement, "We have taken key actions to drive a safety culture, but it requires ongoing attention and effort."

Blumenthal expressed concern about this finding, stating that "lowering standards to speed up production is deeply disturbing." Whitaker responded that reforms implemented by the FAA over the past nine months have increased opportunities for spontaneous inspections and provided better data through such methods. However, he acknowledged that a fundamental shift in Boeing's culture will take time. He said, "Many of Boeing's employees need long-term observation to be truly convinced. They need to hear commitments from leadership...We know this will be a long process, but many measures are already in place or are being implemented gradually."

This incident has raised public concerns about Boeing's safety and exposed deficiencies in the FAA's regulatory mechanisms. Whether Boeing can reshape its safety culture and rebuild public trust in the future will be a long-term test.