Boeing slapped for "blatantly" violating rules
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The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) issued a rare series of sanctions against Boeing after the aerospace giant "blatantly" violated federal investigative regulations, the board announced Thursday.
Why it matters: This is the latest blunder for Seattle's formerly beloved airplane manufacturer, which was already under heightened scrutiny amid the NTSB's investigation into a mid-flight door plug blowout on Alaska Airlines 1282 in January, whistleblower complaints over quality issues and two fatal 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Between the lines: Many of Boeing's recent troubles stem from a lack of transparency, from the software system that caused the two crashes after pilots weren't adequately briefed on how to operate it to an updated engine function that pilots weren't briefed on before it was deployed.
- Now, Boeing is being punished for sharing too much information.
Driving the news: The NTSB alleged that a Boeing executive disclosed non-public investigative information during a media briefing on Tuesday and speculated about possible causes of the blowout, violating an agreement Boeing and the NTSB signed at the start of the agency's investigation.
Zoom out: Other incidents involving the 737 MAX have been reported in recent months, drawing more scrutiny to Boeing.
- In two separate incidents, smoke entered the cabins on 737 MAX jets operated by Southwest Airlines after post-takeoff engine failures, which was later traced to a new engine function on the planes that pilots hadn't been briefed on, the Seattle Times reported.
- Per the AP, the NTSB is also investigating a May incident involving a 737 MAX operated by Southwest that sustained structural damage after the aircraft went into a mid-flight "Dutch roll."
What they're saying: A transcript of the Tuesday briefing provided by Boeing revealed the company inaccurately described the purpose of the agency's investigation, the NTSB said in a statement.
The other side: In a statement Thursday, Boeing apologized to the NTSB and said it will answer any questions the agency has throughout its investigation.
Zoom in: Because of the violations, Boeing will no longer have access to investigative information the NTSB produces throughout its investigation, the agency said.