Boeing Faces Criticism and N.T.S.B. Rebuke Over 737 Max Incident

Boeing Faces Criticism from Federal Regulator

Boeing faced fresh criticism from a federal regulator on Thursday concerning disclosures related to the investigation of a harrowing January flight involving one of the company’s 737 Max planes. During the incident, the aircraft lost a panel, exposing passengers to high-altitude winds at approximately 16,000 feet.

New Details on Boeing 737 Max Incident Revealed

Elizabeth Lund, a Boeing executive, addressed reporters at a company factory in Renton, Wash., on Tuesday, providing additional information about the plane involved in the January flight. She revealed that the aircraft left the plant without four critical bolts securing a panel, known as a door plug, in place.

N.T.S.B. Rebuke and Consequences for Boeing

The National Transportation Safety Board (N.T.S.B.) rebuked Boeing for sharing investigative information and speculating on the incident’s cause. The agency accused Boeing of violating its rules regarding active investigations, stating that Boeing had “blatantly violated” these regulations. The N.T.S.B. announced that it would report this violation to the Justice Department, which is conducting its own investigation into the January flight.

“As a party to many N.T.S.B. investigations over the past decades, few entities know the rules better than Boeing,” the agency said in a statement.

• The N.T.S.B. will revoke Boeing’s access to the agency’s investigative information.
• Boeing will not be permitted to ask questions of other participants at an August hearing.

The agency confirmed Boeing’s violation after reviewing a transcript of the press briefing.