Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg admitted to “serious missteps” in aircraft safety practices while testifying before the Senate Commerce Committee, pledging major changes to restore public trust in the embattled aerospace giant.
Quick Takes
- Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg acknowledged “serious missteps” in safety practices during Senate testimony while outlining comprehensive changes to the company’s safety protocols
- Ortberg’s testimony follows January’s mid-air door plug blowout on a Boeing 737 MAX 9, which prompted FAA production limits and intensified scrutiny
- Boeing faces a pending guilty plea to criminal fraud conspiracy charges related to two fatal 737 MAX crashes, with potential fines up to $487.2 million
- Despite safety concerns, Boeing recently secured a major U.S. Air Force contract to build next-generation fighter jets
- Ortberg denied pressuring workers to prioritize production speed over safety protocols while emphasizing a commitment to rebuilding Boeing’s safety culture
Boeing Admits Safety Failures Before Senate
Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg faced intense questioning from the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee regarding the company’s troubling safety record and plans to rehabilitate its reputation. Ortberg, who took the helm in August 2024 following the resignation of Dave Calhoun after January’s door panel blowout incident, delivered a message of accountability while outlining significant structural changes at the aerospace manufacturer. The hearing, scheduled by Senator Ted Cruz, provided Boeing’s new leadership team an opportunity to address mounting concerns about the company’s safety culture.
During his testimony, Ortberg acknowledged Boeing’s troubling safety record in recent years. “Boeing has made serious missteps in recent years – and it is unacceptable,” Ortberg told senators. “In response, we have made sweeping changes to the people, processes, and overall structure of our company. While there is still work ahead of us, these profound changes are underpinned by the deep commitment from all of us to the safety of our products and services.”
Recent Incidents Highlight Safety Concerns
Boeing’s safety record has been under intense scrutiny since January 2024, when a door plug blew out mid-flight on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, revealing that crucial bolts were missing. This alarming incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to limit Boeing’s 737 MAX production to 38 aircraft monthly. The incident came after two fatal crashes of Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people, caused by software errors that were inadequately addressed by Boeing leadership at the time.
“No one is more committed to turning our company around than our team. Working together, we are focused on connecting the world, protecting our freedoms and supporting our economy,” said Ortberg according to testimony reported by the Seattle Times.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has publicly stated that Boeing has lost public trust following these incidents. The company now faces a criminal fraud conspiracy charge related to the fatal crashes, with a potential fine of up to $487.2 million. A trial date is scheduled for June 23, though Boeing is currently negotiating with the Justice Department for a revised plea agreement. The previous plea deal, which included a guilty plea, payment, and corporate monitor, was rejected by a federal judge.
Rebuilding Safety Culture
Ortberg detailed Boeing’s comprehensive approach to improving its safety protocols and corporate culture during the hearing. The changes focus on several key areas: reducing manufacturing defects, enhancing employee training, simplifying procedures, and elevating the company’s safety culture. When asked about production pressures potentially compromising safety, Ortberg stated clearly: “I’m not pressuring the team to go fast. I’m pressuring the team to do it right.”
“Efforts to cut corners in production or to move to the next production phase before necessary parts arrived have led to unacceptable failures,” said Texas Republican Sen. Ted Cruz, who added that “the incident produced fresh doubt about Boeing’s ability to safely build planes.”
Ortberg highlighted that new leadership is spending more time with employees and holding managers accountable for safety practices. When questioned about corporate monitoring, Ortberg said, “I don’t personally have a problem, no,” regarding the potential appointment of a corporate monitor as part of any Justice Department resolution. Family members of crash victims attended the hearing, seeking accountability for Boeing’s design and production flaws that led to the fatal accidents.
Boeing’s Future Amid Scrutiny
Despite ongoing safety concerns, Boeing received a vote of confidence from the U.S. Air Force, which selected the company to build its next generation of fighter jets, beating out competitors like Lockheed Martin. This $20 billion contract represents a significant boost for Boeing’s defense division at a time when its commercial aircraft business faces intense regulatory scrutiny. Senator Maria Cantwell noted the importance of ensuring Boeing implements lasting safety improvements, stating: “New leadership at Boeing will get a chance to tell Congress how they are implementing new safety standards and creating a stronger safety culture.”
Critics, however, argue that Boeing needs to fully acknowledge past failures before meaningful progress can occur. “I don’t think that they’re going to make real progress until they’re prepared to accept that the old culture was wrong. They can’t have it both ways,” said David Boies, as reported by the Seattle Times.
The FAA continues to closely monitor Boeing’s manufacturing practices, maintenance processes, and software updates. While Ortberg mentioned the potential to increase production rates in the future, he emphasized that stability in the production line remains the primary focus as Boeing works to rebuild trust with regulators, airlines, and the flying public.
