Boeing sanctioned by US over 737 Max 9 investigation
- Boeing faces sanctions from the US for sharing investigation details about the 737 Max 9.
- The investigation involves a door plug incident from January.
- US authorities are taking action against Boeing for their actions in sharing this information.
In a recent development, Boeing is facing sanctions from U.S. investigators for allegedly sharing confidential information regarding a federal investigation into a door plug blowout incident on a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) accused Boeing of violating investigative regulations by providing non-public information to the media and speculating on potential causes of the incident, which occurred in Portland, Oregon on January 5. Despite the incident, the pilots managed to land the aircraft safely with no injuries reported. During a media briefing, a Boeing executive reportedly disclosed non-public investigative details to journalists about the Alaska Airlines incident without proper authorization from the NTSB. The agency clarified that its focus is on determining the probable cause of the accident rather than assigning blame to individuals or assessing liability. Boeing issued a statement expressing regret for overstepping the NTSB's role and pledged cooperation with the ongoing investigation. As a consequence of its actions, Boeing will no longer have access to investigative information produced by the NTSB regarding the Alaska Airlines incident. However, the company will retain its party status in the investigation due to its employees' expertise. The NTSB plans to subpoena Boeing for an investigative hearing in Washington D.C. on August 6 and 7. Following fatal crashes involving Max jets in Indonesia and Ethiopia, regulatory authorities worldwide grounded the aircraft for over a year and a half. The Justice Department will determine whether to press charges against Boeing, with prosecutors expected to announce their decision by July 7. The company has been under increased scrutiny, with CEO David Calhoun recently defending its safety record amid accusations of prioritizing profits over safety and other alleged misconduct. Boeing's handling of the situation has drawn criticism, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the aerospace giant in maintaining public trust and regulatory compliance.