One year after Boeing's door plug crisis, more work is needed: FAA

Boeing 737 MAX 9 Incident and FAA Oversight - Investigators found that four key bolts were missing from the door plug of a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft, leading to a panel blowout at 16,000 feet during a flight on Jan 5, 2024 [1] - The FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive, temporarily grounding all MAX aircraft with this type of plug door [2] - The FAA has taken unprecedented steps to transform its oversight of Boeing, including conducting unannounced audits and monthly status reviews with Boeing executives [2][5][6] Boeing Whistleblower Case - A Boeing whistleblower, John Barnett, was found dead in March 2024 after raising concerns about quality control issues at the company [3] - Barnett had been taking legal action against Boeing, alleging constructive discharge and seeking damages including back pay and emotional distress [4] FAA's Safety and Quality Improvement Efforts - The FAA has increased the number of inspectors on factory floors and capped production levels for the 737 Max [9] - Boeing was required to develop a comprehensive plan to address systemic production-quality problems [9] - The FAA has communicated the importance of a robust whistleblowing reporting program and ensured the independent FAA safety hotline information is shared with all Boeing employees [10] Boeing's Cultural Shift and Ongoing Challenges - The FAA chief emphasized the need for a fundamental cultural shift at Boeing, prioritizing safety and quality over profits [8] - Despite improvements, the FAA asserts that more work is needed, and the oversight project is not a one-year endeavor [8] - The FAA continues to support the NTSB's investigation of the door-plug accident and reviews recommendations to improve internal processes [6][7]