NTSB chastises Boeing for sharing door plug blowout details during media visit
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sanctioned Boeing after the American manufacturer disclosed “non-public investigative information to the media” and speculated about “possible causes of the [Alaska Airlines flight…
July 1, 2024
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sanctioned Boeing after the American manufacturer disclosed “non-public investigative information to the media” and speculated about “possible causes of the [Alaska Airlines flight 1282] Jan 5 door-plug blowout”.
Comments made by a Boeing executive during a press event last week “blatantly violated NTSB investigative regulations” said the NTSB in a statement, confirming that the investigative information and “analysis of factual information previously released” both contravened a party agreement signed by Boeing at the start of the investigation.
Although the NTSB believes Boeing portrayed the former’s investigation “as a search to locate the individual responsible for the [faulty] door plug work,” it is “instead focused on the probable cause of the accident, not placing blame on any individual or assessing liability”.
Although the manufacturer will retain its party status in the ongoing investigation, it will “no longer have access to the investigative information the NTSB produces as it develops the factual record of the accident,” with the NTSB also able to subpoena “any relevant records it requires during the course of the investigation”.
“As we continue to take responsibility and work transparently, we conducted an in-depth briefing on our Safety and Quality Plan and shared context on the lessons we have learned from the January 5 accident,” said a spokesperson for Boeing. “We deeply regret that some of our comments, intended to make clear our responsibility in the accident and explain the action we are taking, overstepped the NTSB’s role as the source of investigative information”.
Offering its apologies to the NTSB, Boeing concluded that it stands “ready to answer any questions as the agency continues its investigation”.
The NTSB will also subpoena Boeing to appear at an investigative hearing into the case on 6 and 7 August in Washington, DC, where – unlike other parties – the manufacturer will not be allowed to ask questions of other participants.
