Would You like a feature Interview?
All Interviews are 100% FREE of Charge
A Senate subcommittee investigating Boeing’s safety and quality practices released a new report Monday that includes new allegations from a company whistleblower about what went on with defective airplane parts.
of A massive 204-page report The report included several new allegations from whistleblowers familiar with practices at the company’s Washington factory that “highlight disturbing evidence that the company is prioritizing manufacturing speed and cost reductions over ensuring the quality and safety of its aircraft,” the subcommittee wrote.
The new set of allegations comes from Sam Mohawk, a Boeing quality assurance investigator in Renton, Washington.
According to the committee report, Mohawk filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on June 11, alleging that “hundreds” of “non-conforming” parts were missing from the 737 program.
Mohawk also alleged that at its Renton facility, the company instructed employees to move “improperly stored” aircraft parts to “intentionally hide” them from FAA inspectors.
“Approximately 60 parts were stored outside, including 42 rudders alone, as well as flaps, winglets, ailerons, stabilizers and vertical stabilizers,” Mohawk’s OSHA complaint states.
“Since then, the parts that were hidden from FAA inspection have either been returned to outdoor areas or are completely lost,” Mohawk added.
The Senate subcommittee also looked at allegations made by Merle Myers, a former Boeing quality control chief.
Myers, the former Boeing quality manager, said Boeing manufacturing staff would regularly try to retrieve defective parts from a “remanufacturing” area even after they had been sent to be scrapped.
Myers also alleged that Boeing manufacturing staff had documentation that helped justify putting refurbished parts back on the production line.
“The sample forms reviewed by the Subcommittee, some of which date back to 2002, appear to relate to a variety of small and large aircraft parts, including ‘787 leading edge slats,’ ‘landing gear fittings,’ ‘787 nacelle forgings,’ and ‘wire bundles,'” the subcommittee wrote.
The new set of allegations by the Boeing whistleblower joins existing allegations by other whistleblowers against the company.
Of note, two Boeing whistleblowers died before the Senate subcommittee’s report was released on Monday. Joshua Dean, 45, a former Spirit AeroSystems employee, died in May after a sudden illness. Dean said: Shareholder litigation; They blamed Boeing for poor quality control during the manufacturing of the 737-MAX.
New Boeing whistleblower John BarnettThe 62-year-old died in March while testifying against Boeing. The Charleston County Coroner’s Office told BI in a statement that the former Boeing executive died from “an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.”
The new Senate documents were filed ahead of Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun’s appearance before a Senate committee on Tuesday, where lawmakers grilled him about a series of high-profile safety accidents that have plagued Boeing.
During his testimony, Calhoun said he was “proud” of the company’s safety record.
“I’m proud of all the actions we’ve taken,” Calhoun said. A tense exchange with Sen. Josh Hawley.
Meanwhile, Boeing told BI it was reviewing the whistleblower’s allegations after receiving the documents late Monday night.
“Our top priority is ensuring the safety of our aircraft and our passengers, and we continue to encourage employees to report any concerns they may have,” a Boeing spokesperson said in a statement to BI.