WASHINGTON, Sept 10 (Askume) – The head of the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration said on Tuesday the agency must ensure the plane maker’s safety procedures are adequate before lifting a production ban on the 737 Max.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said he has raised the issue with Boeing’s new CEO Kelly Ortberg and wants to make sure the plane maker follows its quality improvement plan.
“There was extensive planning done, so I think our goal now is to make sure that it’s executed,” Whittaker said at an industry conference. “We have limited production — this is my first conversation with the new CEO. We need to make sure the safety metrics are exactly where we need to be for growth.”
Whitaker asked Boeing in late February to develop a comprehensive plan to address the Jan. 5 crash involving an Alaska Airlines flight (ALK.N) .
Boeing launched its quality plan on May 30. Whittaker said he will hold quarterly meetings with Boeing chief executives in Seattle starting in September. Whittaker said Tuesday that he plans to hold that meeting soon.
Whitaker also said the Justice Department is interested in Boeing “so they’re also imposing surveillance agreements on Boeing in July.”agreed to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit criminal fraud charges and pay at least $243.6 million.
Ortberg, who took over as CEO on Aug. 8, said in an email to employees after meeting with Whitaker last month that the company is focused on “real cultural change and empowering employees to speak up when they see potential issues and help them identify problems.” “What we need to do is bring the right resources together.”
