As CEO Dave Calhoun prepares to testify before the Senate Subcommittee on Investigations in Washington DC regarding Boeing’s “broken safety culture,” new whistleblower allegations have surfaced concerning troubling practices at the company.
Senator Richard Blumenthal, Chair of the Subcommittee on Investigations, disclosed these fresh claims on June 18, 2024, as outlined in a memo from his office, according to ABC News.
Quality Assurance Inspector Sam Mohawk, based in Renton, has raised concerns that Boeing is compromising safety standards by mishandling parts marked as “non-conforming” or deficient, Senator Blumenthal revealed. While some parts could be fixed or were mislabeled, Mohawk alleges that many should have been discarded.
According to Senator Blumenthal, Mohawk asserts that these inadequate parts have at times found their way into newly constructed aircraft. Additionally, Mohawk claims that his supervisors instructed him to conceal this information from the FAA and that he is facing retaliation for speaking out, as noted in a statement from Blumenthal.
Bloomberg reported that Mohawk suggested that approximately 400 faulty 737 MAX aircraft parts might have been misplaced and erased from the catalog system, potentially ending up in newly assembled planes. Boeing was only made aware of these claims late on June 17, 2024.
In response to the allegations, a Boeing spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to encouraging employees to report any concerns to prioritize aircraft safety and public well-being.
Calhoun is anticipated to face probing questions from senators on safety issues, quality control, and whistleblower treatment during his appearance before the subcommittee on June 18, 2024.
Furthermore, Boeing is actively seeking a replacement for Calhoun as CEO, following the withdrawal of several potential candidates from consideration.
