Boeing is under the spotlight following a string of recent aircraft incidents, with some experts attributing them to what they describe as “self-inflicted wounds.” In contrast, others argue that airlines should also shoulder responsibility.
Fox News reports that there have been at least four incidents involving Boeing planes since January, with two occurring in February and up to 10 by mid-March.
Arthur Rosenberg, a former pilot, pointed to a recent incident where a tyre detached from a United Airlines plane during takeoff from San Francisco International Airport, causing damage to parked cars. He suggested that such occurrences may not solely be Boeing’s fault but could stem from maintenance issues within the airlines themselves.
Another incident involved a United Airlines flight landing in Medford, Oregon, with a missing external panel on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. Rosenberg indicated this could be due to potential maintenance lapses within the airline.
However, Rosenberg acknowledged one particular incident in January where a door plug blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet mid-flight, attributing it to a manufacturing defect and signalling internal failures at Boeing. A preliminary investigative report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that four critical bolts from the door plug were missing and had not been recovered.
In response to these incidents, the NTSB plans to conduct an investigative hearing in early August. Rosenberg also criticized the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), suggesting it is understaffed and overworked, with a dual focus on safety and economic considerations.
Despite these challenges, Rosenberg expressed confidence in the safety of airline travel, believing that both the FAA and Boeing will address and rectify any issues that arise over time.
