FAA Head Vows Increase in Boeing Oversight

The agency is shifting to a more proactive approach in monitoring the company's safety culture, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told lawmakers.

Meg Godlewski

Friday, June 14, 2024 at 11:43 AM ET

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Edited By:

Kimberly Johnson

FAA Administrator Michael Whitaker testified on Boeing and aviation safety before the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday. [C-SPAN screenshot]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA will adopt a significantly more hands-on approach to monitoring Boeing's aircraft construction and safety culture until systemic improvements are demonstrated.
This increased oversight is a direct response to a series of safety incidents, including the recent Alaska Airlines door plug detachment, which highlighted Boeing's inadequate quality control and the FAA's prior "too hands off" approach.
Boeing is tasked with implementing comprehensive changes to strengthen its safety management, quality assurance, and employee reporting culture, with FAA inspectors remaining on-site to ensure compliance.

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Boeing can expect the FAA to take a more hands-on approach when it comes to monitoring aircraft construction until the manufacturer can demonstrate it has established an adequate safety culture, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker told the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee on Thursday.

“This is about systemic change, and there’s a lot of work to be done. It’s the beginning of a long journey,” Whitaker told the Senate panel during the hearing.