Boeing Workers Report Pressure in NTSB Investigation

In a recent hearing by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), workers involved in the assembly of the Boeing 737 Max, which experienced a door plug blowout during a January flight, reported feeling pressured to complete their tasks quickly, potentially compromising safety. The hearing, which began on Tuesday, aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident and the implications for passenger safety on Boeing aircraft. The NTSB previously determined that the door plug detached mid-flight due to the absence of four essential bolts, which were not reinstalled after maintenance work. Testimonies revealed that a Door Master Lead at Boeing indicated that assembly processes often required rework due to issues discovered post-assembly, highlighting systemic problems within the manufacturing process. An employee from Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems described their role as akin to "cockroaches," suggesting a culture of neglect regarding safety concerns. The January 5 incident involved an Alaska Airlines flight, where the door plug blew out as the aircraft ascended. Investigators noted that while the fuselage arrived at Boeing with the door plug and bolts intact, a lack of proper documentation during maintenance led to the oversight of the missing bolts. Boeing acknowledged that the workers who reinstalled the door plug were unaware of its prior removal, raising questions about communication and safety protocols on the assembly line. This investigation follows a 2021 settlement between Boeing and the Justice Department regarding previous safety violations. Amid ongoing scrutiny, Boeing's sales have dwindled, with only three passenger jets sold in June, including one to replace the aircraft involved in the January incident.