FAA Proposes to Fine Boeing US$3.1m Over Safety Flaws

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed to fine Boeing US$3.1 million for repeating safety violations and interfering with safety officials.

Boeing, which has 30 days to respond to the FAA proposal, reassured that it is reviewing the proposed penalties and continues to work on improving its safety culture, quality, and accountability across operations. 

Repeating Safety Violations, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282

As a result of investigations from September 2023 through February 2024, the FAA found hundreds of quality system violations on Boeing’s 737 aircraft factory in Renton, Washington, and manufacturer’s subcontractor Spirit AeroSystems’ 737 factory in Wichita, Kansas.

The mid-air panel blowout incident involving Alaska Airlines' (AS) Boeing 737-9 aircraft caused severe damage to Boeing’s reputation. We can recall that the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) determined that the missing four key bolts, which were intended to hold the emergency door in place, caused the incident.

The incident led to the grounding of Boeing 737-9 aircraft for two weeks and the introduction of a production cap of 38 aircraft per month, which remains in effect. 

Further Findings: Pressure on Safety Officials

FAA reported that Boeing has presented two unairworthy aircraft for FAA airworthiness certificate inspection and failed to follow its quality system rules.

The FAA discovered that Boeing workers performing tasks on behalf of the FAA were pressured by other Boeing employees to meet its delivery schedule, despite the aircraft not complying with safety standards.

In June, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reported that Boeing had failed to provide adequate training, guidance, and oversight, as well as identified serious drawbacks in the manufacturer's safety culture. 

FAA Oversight of Boeing Operations

Since early 2024, following the Flight 1282 incident, the FAA has maintained constant in-person oversight of Boeing production. 

The FAA audit of Boeing carried out in 2024 found 97 cases of noncompliance with current regulations, triggering the Justice Department to open a criminal investigation and declaring Boeing’s non-compliance with a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement.

The FAA continues inspecting each 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft before issuing an airworthiness certificate and approval for delivery. Aircraft ticketing authority is usually delegated to the manufacturer.

Insufficient Oversight of Boeing Production 

A report issued by the NTSB in October 2024 stated that the FAA does not have an effective system in place to oversee Boeing's factories. The government watchdog also pointed out that the FAA has not been able to resolve allegations of pressuring Boeing employees acting on the FAA’s behalf. 

FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford stated that the FAA has not yet decided whether to lift the Boeing 737 MAX production cap of 38 planes per month or how to improve Boeing's production oversight.