CD296: The Boeing Hearings

16-07-2024 • 1 hr 52 mins

The Boeing 737 Max line of airplanes has been in the news often in the last 5 years after two fatal plane crashes and a door plug flew off a plane mid-flight, but Boeing’s recklessness extends far beyond the 737 Max. In this episode, hear testimony from whistleblowers, engineering experts, and government regulators during recent Congressional investigations into Boeing’s prioritization of its stock price over our safety.

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View the show notes on our website at https://congressionaldish.com/cd296-the-boeing-hearings

Background Sources

Recommended Congressional Dish Episodes

CD293: NTSB Transportation Safety Warnings

CD213: CARES Act – The Trillions for COVID-19 Law

Boeing’s Ongoing Problems

“FAA orders immediate inspections of thousands of Boeing 737 planes due to oxygen mask failures.” Mike Bedigan. July 10, 2024. The Independent.

“Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes.” July 10, 2024. Federal Aviation Administration.

“Terrifying moment Boeing 757's wheel bounces down runway after coming loose.” Noa Halff. July 9, 2024. The Daily Mail.

“Federal probe underway after wheel falls off United jet out of SFO.” March 8, 2024. NBC Bay Area.

“United plane from SFO loses tire after taking off.” Tom Vacar and Zak Sos. March 7, 2024. KTVU FOX 2.

NASA Starliner

“NASA astronauts to extend space station stay as engineers troubleshoot Boeing capsule.” AP. June 29, 2024. NPR.

“The Long, Difficult Road of Boeing’s Starliner Capsule.” Kenneth Chang. June 5, 2024. The New York Times.

“‘Close Call’: NASA-Boeing Investigation of Starliner Flight Finds Lapses.” Kenneth Chang. March 6, 2020. The New York Times.

Ties to US Government

Defense

“Israel Dropped US-Made Boeing Bombs in Rafah Tent Camp Massacre.” Edward Carver. May 29, 2024. Truthout.

“How a $17 billion bailout fund intended for Boeing ended up in very different hands.” Yeganeh Torbati and Aaron Gregg. November 25, 2020. The Washington Post.

Lobbying

“Boeing Co: Annual Lobbying Totals: 1998 - 2024.” OpenSecrets.

“Boeing Co: Summary.” OpenSecrets.

Alaska Airlines Door Plug Blowout

“How a panel blew off a Boeing plane in mid-air.” Simon Scarr et al. January 11, 2024. Reuters.

FAA “Oversight”

“Organization Delegation Authorization: An Overview.” Marc Warren and Paul Alp. February 1, 2024. Adams and Reese LLP.

Deferred Prosecution Agreement

“USA v. Boeing: Deferred Prosecution Agreement,” [4:21-CR-005-O]. January 7, 2021. U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Fort Worth Division.

Boeing Guilty Plea

“Here’s what to know about Boeing agreeing to plead guilty to fraud in 737 Max crashes.” David Koenig and Alanna Durkin Richer. July 9, 2024. AP News.

“Families of 737 Max crash victims urge a judge to reject Boeing’s plea deal.” Joel Rose. July 9, 2024. NPR.

“Deputy AG Monaco Asked to Recuse From DOJ Boeing Decision.” David Dayen. July 3, 2024. The American Prospect.

Stock Buybacks

“Boeing ($BA) Stock Buyback History Graph and Chart.” Stock Buybacks History.

Boeing Orders

“Orders & Deliveries” Boeing.

John Barnett

“Dead Boeing whistleblower’s family says company may not have ‘pulled the trigger’ but it’s responsible.” Mike Bedigan. June 18, 2024. The Independent.

“Boeing whistleblower John Barnett found dead in US.” Theo Leggett. March 11, 2024. BBC News.

“John Barnett v. Boeing: First Amended Complaint” [Case No: 2021-AIR-00007]. May 4, 2021. United States Department of Labor Administrative Law Judges.

Staying Safe on Planes

“The safest seats are at the back of the plane — and 5 other surprising facts about airline crashes.” Peter Weber. January 8, 2015. The Week.

“The odds are 11 million to 1 that you'll die in a plane crash.” Harold Maass. January 8, 2015. The Week.

“How to Survive a Plane Crash.” Charles W. Bryant. Nd. Mapquest Travel.

McDonnell Douglas Merger

“What’s Gone Wrong at Boeing.” James Surowiecki. January 15, 2024. The Atlantic.

“The 1997 merger that paved the way for the Boeing 737 Max crisis.” Natasha Frost. January 3, 2020. Quartz.

Laws

H.R. 133 - Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021: Division V - Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act

Audio Sources

Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture: CEO Dave Calhoun Testifies

June 18, 2024
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

Witnesses:

David Calhoun, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Boeing Company

FAA Oversight of Aviation Manufacturing

June 13, 2024
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

Witnesses:

Michael Whitaker, Administrator, Federal Aviation Administration

Examining Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts

April 17, 2024
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations

Witnesses:

Sam Salehpour, Current Quality Engineer, Boeing
Ed Pierson, Executive Director, The Foundation for Aviation Safety, Former Boeing Manager
Joe Jacobsen, Aerospace Engineer and Technical Advisor to the Foundation for Aviation Safety, Former FAA Engineer
Dr. Shawn Pruchnicki, Professional Practice Assistant Professor of Integrated Systems Engineering, The Ohio State University

FAA Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) Expert Panel Report

April 17, 2024
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, & Transportation

Witnesses:

Dr. Javier de Luis, Lecturer, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Dr. Tracy Dillinger, Manager for Safety Culture and Human Factors, National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Dr. Najmedin Meshkati, Professor, University of Southern California, Aviation Safety and Security Program