NTSB Calls for Boeing to Overhaul Safety Culture After 737 MAX Incident

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Boeing are investigating an in-flight emergency involving a new 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines aircraft. The incident, caused by a missing door plug, has highlighted significant issues within Boeing's safety culture, leading to calls for improvements from both the NTSB and the Federal Aviation Administration.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Boeing have been unable to determine who removed a door plug in a new 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines aircraft that experienced an in-flight emergency in January, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said on Tuesday. She emphasized Boeing's need for significant improvements in its safety practices.

"The safety culture needs a lot of work (at Boeing)," she stated. "There's not a lot of trust within the workforce," she added. The Federal Aviation Administration has also asserted that Boeing must improve its safety culture and address quality issues before ramping up 737 MAX production.

Boeing did not immediately comment. The NTSB reported the 737 MAX 9 was missing four key bolts. Boeing acknowledged that required documents for the door plug removal were never created. Additionally, Boeing has now labeled the door plug with big blue and yellow signs reading "Do not open."

Homendy noted the NTSB has not been able to interview the door plug team manager, who is on medical leave. Earlier this year, the NTSB pressured Boeing for the names of the 25 employees who worked on the door plug. Interviews and written statements have been gathered, though all written statements ended with the suspiciously uniform line: "I have no knowledge," raising further questions.

(With inputs from agencies.)