April 18, 2024 During a recent Senate hearing, Ed Pierson, a former Boeing manager and whistleblower, made striking allegations about a “criminal coverup” by Boeing regarding a recent incident with an Alaska Airlines 737 Max.
The controversy centers around a door plug on a 737 Max 9 that was lost midair, leaving a significant hole in the fuselage. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) indicated that critical bolts meant to secure the door plug were missing, and Boeing stated that there was no documentation of the work done on this component.
Pierson, who had previously voiced concerns about the safety of the 737 Max series, testified that he was given documents by an internal whistleblower proving that records of the work on the door plug indeed exist. He has since passed these documents to the FBI, contradicting Boeing’s claim of no existing records.
The FBI is investigating the possibility of criminal charges against Boeing, with passengers on the affected flight being notified of potentially being victims of a crime. This investigation could have significant implications for Boeing, which has already seen its stock price plummet this year.
The hearing has sparked broader discussions about Boeing’s safety culture and practices. Despite Boeing’s statements about improvements in its safety culture since 2020, the allegations have raised serious questions about the company’s transparency and the efficacy of its internal controls.
Boeing’s reputation and financial stability could be severely impacted by the outcome of this investigation, with potential long-term effects on its position in the aerospace industry.
