Washington, D.C. — The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation Steve Cohen (D-TN), during today’s hearing titled, “Implementation of Boeing’s Comprehensive Action Plan.”
Video of Larsen’s and Cohen’s opening statements can be found here and here.
More information on the hearing can be found here.
Ranking Member Larsen:
Thank you, Chairman Graves, for calling this hearing on the “Implementation of Boeing’s Comprehensive Action Plan.”
Today, we are really having two hearings in one:
The first, motivated by the aftermath of the January 5th Boeing 737 MAX door-plug accident, will examine Boeing’s safety culture problems, the FAA’s subsequent investigation and Boeing’s Comprehensive Action Plan to address these issues.
The second will evaluate the FAA’s general oversight of U.S. aviation manufacturing and the implications of any necessary reforms.
Towards this end, we have to make sure the FAA has the resources and tools it needs to effectively conduct its investigation and help prevent accidents like this from happening again.
Just as we did nearly five years ago, this Committee must remain vigilant in our oversight and authorization roles and hold those responsible accountable, wherever the FAA and NTSB investigations lead.
On January 5, 2024, a door plug was torn from a 737 MAX 9 aircraft shortly after it departed Portland International Airport (PDX), forcing that flight to make an emergency landing and return to Portland.
This event was terrifying to all those on board, but thanks to the calm and professional action of Alaska’s flight crew, everyone returned to the ground safely.
Shortly thereafter, the FAA cautiously and rightfully grounded the U.S. 737 MAX 9 fleet for nearly 20 days, and the NTSB initiated an accident investigation.
The FAA also initiated a concurrent but separate investigation and further announced an audit of the 737 MAX production lines and its suppliers.
The FAA also placed a further safety limitation on Boeing, prohibiting any increase in the production rate of the 737 MAX aircraft.
This limit is still in place and will remain until the FAA is satisfied that certain “quality control issues uncovered during this process are resolved.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen quality control and production issues at Boeing’s facilities.
In May 2021, then Chair DeFazio and I wrote to the Department of Transportation, FAA and Boeing with concerns about no less than nine reports of quality control issues at Boeing production facilities.
Since then, there have been dozens more reports, leading to emergency fixes in the fleet and halts in production.
Given the pervasiveness of these issues across multiple locations, experts have pointed to an overarching cultural problem within the company.
It goes without saying that the safety culture of any institution flows from the top. However, a shakeup in leadership is not the final answer—it is only the beginning.
The company must work to revamp its safety culture, particularly as it relates to its relationship with its greatest asset: its workers.
The flying public deserve answers, and I am committed to using all the tools at my disposal to get them.
I want to highlight what I’m hearing back home in Washington state.
In the Pacific Northwest, aviation and aerospace are part of our DNA. More than 30,000 dedicated women and men go to work each day at the Boeing plant in Everett and throughout the state.
These are hardworking individuals who punch the clock day in and day out and make significant contributions to our local communities.
The consequences of Boeing leadership’s repeated safety and quality missteps are felt hardest by the workforce—who strive each and every day to ensure Boeing’s aircraft remains the safest in the world but are not always given the resources or direction to fulfill their duties.
They deserve answers, as well.
And I’m grateful to all the Boeing workers that have come forward with information for the various federal investigations and have made recommendations.
However, these issues, and the FAA’s response, extend well beyond Boeing and Washington state.
Boeing is the largest exporter in the country, so these issues impact the entire U.S. economy.
They impact workers across the country; they impact passengers’ travel and the confidence of the flying public; and they impact supply chains that circle the globe.
It is not enough to build airplanes in the U.S.—U.S. aviation must build safe airplanes in the U.S.
How the FAA and we as Congress respond to this event will have lasting repercussions for decades to come; we have to get this right and not just for Boeing’s sake—for the sake of aviation manufacturing across the country and the world.
As more is uncovered, it falls on Congress to support the FAA and NTSB in their ongoing investigations and take the necessary actions to ensure the safety of our skies.
The Boeing 737 MAX 9 door plug accident is yet another reminder of the importance of this Committee’s work, the FAA’s efforts and what is at stake if we do not remain vigilant in addressing systemic safety issues in the U.S. aviation ecosystem.
Now, with a plan in place to begin Boeing’s cultural course-correction, I look forward to hearing from Administrator Whitaker about how the Action Plan was developed, what role the FAA played in its creation, any progress or lack thereof with its implementation and how the FAA plans to keep Boeing accountable to its execution.
The U.S. is the leader in global aviation, and this Committee’s efforts, along with the FAA’s, will have profound implications for air travel around the world.
Thank you.
Ranking Member Cohen:
Thank you, Chairman Graves, and thank you, Administrator Whitaker, for testifying today.
We are here today to discuss Boeing’s ongoing challenges with safety, production quality and company culture, which we were reminded of in dramatic fashion by Boeing’s door plug accident earlier this year.
In response, the FAA and NTSB immediately began independent, concurrent investigations. The FAA also told Boeing to create a plan to address known issues at the time. That plan was submitted to the FAA at the end of May.
Now that Boeing has begun implementing its Safety and Quality Plan and the FAA has begun conducting its additional oversight, it is time to examine whether promised changes are being made and whether promised improvements are being attained.
Congress must continue to hold Boeing accountable for the safety of its aircraft and continue to hold the FAA accountable for its oversight of manufacturers’ design and production processes.
Moreover, while they are not here today, I’d like to go on the record and thank NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy and all of the NTSB investigators again for their vigorous efforts as they work alongside the FAA to expose critical issues and to increase the safety of air transportation.
Our Subcommittee will work with all relevant parties to enact any legislative changes necessary to resolve quality control problems, strengthen oversight of aircraft manufacturers and suppliers, and prevent further safety issues from arising.
Thank you again, Administrator Whitaker, for being here today, and I look forward to our discussion.
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