Boeing CEO admits ‘serious missteps in recent years'

Core Points - Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg is scheduled to testify before a Senate committee regarding improvements in safety standards following several serious incidents, including a midair door plug blowout in 2024 [1][2] - Ortberg acknowledges that Boeing has made significant missteps and outlines sweeping changes to the company's people, processes, and structure in response to these issues [2] - The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has capped Boeing's production of the 737 MAX at 38 units per month following the 2024 incident [3] Incident Overview - The 2024 midair incident involved a Boeing 737 MAX 9 door plug blowing out during an Alaska Airlines flight, which occurred after the aircraft left a Boeing facility without essential bolts installed [2] - The two fatal crashes of the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019 resulted in the deaths of 346 people, leading to a loss of trust from the American public [5] Legal and Financial Implications - Boeing agreed to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge related to the two fatal crashes and is set to pay a fine of up to $487.2 million [7] - A trial date has been set for June 23 in the Justice Department's criminal fraud case against Boeing [7] Leadership Changes - Ortberg became CEO in August 2024, succeeding Dave Calhoun, who resigned following the door panel blowout incident [8] Recent Developments - Despite ongoing concerns about aircraft quality and safety, Boeing was recently selected by the U.S. Air Force to build and deliver a new suite of fighter jets, surpassing competitors like Lockheed Martin [9]