NTSB Sanctions Boeing for 737 MAX Investigation Info Release

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has sanctioned Boeing for releasing details about the 737 MAX investigation before it was completed. The NTSB emphasized the importance of maintaining confidentiality in ongoing investigations to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the process. This action underscores the agency's commitment to upholding strict protocols and highlights the serious consequences for violating these standards.

Boston Brand Media brings you the latest news - On Thursday, U.S. investigators sanctioned Boeing (BA.N) for disclosing details of a 737 MAX mid-air blowout investigation and announced plans to refer its actions to the Justice Department, leading the struggling planemaker to apologize.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board accused Boeing of "blatantly violating" its rules by sharing "non-public investigative information" and speculating on the possible causes of the Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines (ALK.N) door-plug emergency during a factory tour with numerous journalists in attendance.

The decision highlights the tensions between the embattled planemaker and government agencies, especially as Boeing attempts to evade potential criminal charges from the Department of Justice (DOJ) before the July 7 deadline. The NTSB stated, "Having participated in numerous NTSB investigations over the years, few entities are as familiar with the rules as Boeing."

The NTSB mentioned that while Boeing will remain a party to the investigation into the Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines emergency, it will no longer have access to information generated during the probe into the accident, which involved the mid-air blowout of a door plug with four missing bolts.

Boston Brand Media also found that, Boeing will be restricted from questioning other participants during the hearing on August 6-7. In a statement, Boeing expressed regret, acknowledging that their comments, which were meant to clarify their responsibility in the accident and explain their actions, exceeded the NTSB's role as the primary source of investigative information.

The NTSB's critique centers on remarks made during a Tuesday media briefing about quality improvements at the 737 factory near Seattle, an event perceived as an effort to demonstrate increased transparency before the Farnborough Airshow.

During the Tuesday briefing, conducted under an embargo until Thursday for publication, an executive disclosed that the assembly line plug had been opened improperly, without the necessary paperwork, to address a quality issue with nearby rivets. Furthermore, it was noted that the bolts that were supposed to be replaced were not.

Elizabeth Lund, Boeing's senior vice president of quality, clarified that the team that closed the plug was not tasked with reinstalling the bolts.

The NTSB accused Boeing of breaching its agreement by offering investigative insights and analyzing already-released information about the incident. The agency pointed out that Boeing had provided opinions and analyses on factors it claimed were causal to the accident.

In May, the DOJ stated that Boeing had violated a 2021 settlement by providing information related to its interactions with the FAA before the 2018 and 2019 MAX crashes, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people. Reuters reported that U.S. prosecutors recommended pursuing criminal charges. Additionally, the DOJ initiated a separate criminal investigation into the door-plug incident.

Thursday's unusual exchange highlights ongoing tensions between Boeing and the NTSB. In 2018, Boeing faced criticism for a statement that appeared to question the pilots' performance in the initial fatal crash involving the MAX, although subsequent investigations emphasized flawed software as a key factor.

During a Senate hearing in March of this year, NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy criticized Boeing for delaying the disclosure of employees' names involved in the 737 MAX door team, prompting quick action from Boeing to provide the information.

Regarding the Alaska air incident, the NTSB accused Boeing of portraying its investigation as an effort to identify the individual responsible for the door-plug work, rather than focusing on determining the probable cause of the accident and avoiding assigning blame.

When asked about who failed to complete documentation during a Tuesday briefing, Boeing's Elizabeth Lund stated that it could have been one or more employees, but emphasized that identifying individuals was solely the NTSB's responsibility as their investigation was ongoing.

Air safety and the role of individuals have become increasingly sensitive issues, especially with growing litigation and some countries leaning towards criminalizing air accidents. Global rules mandate that civil probes into air accidents aim to ascertain causes and suggest safety improvements, separate from judicial probes that seek to assign blame.

Critics argue that this system does not adequately address the need for detailed answers from victims' families. The international treaty facilitating open discussion about accident causes has historically helped reduce accident rates but requires vigilance against special pleading by involved parties.

In past instances, the NTSB barred entities like United Parcel Service and Tesla from investigations, prompting public disputes over procedural adherence and participation rights.

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Source: Reuters‍