Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, along with two top executives, are stepping down from their positions. They have found themselves in the eye of a major public relations storm in the wake of multiple accidents involving Boeing aircraft that led to safety concerns from the public.
In a memo posted to the company’s website on Monday, Mr. Calhoun referenced the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident, where a door plug blew off while in flight, as a “watershed moment” for Boeing.
The incident led to a public relations calamity that undermined the public’s trust not only in Boeing, but the airline industry in general.
Calhoun said that he would leave the company after this year as the company looks to commit to more safety and quality assurances.
“We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company,” he wrote.
He also stated that his time at Boeing was “the greatest privilege” of his life.
Along with Mr. Calhoun, Chairman, Larry Kellner, and CEO and President of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal, will also step down.
The most clamorous of the incidents occurred in January when the door panel blew out on a 737 Max mid-air on an Alaska Airlines flight. Photos and videos from the incident went viral and led to public panic. Ultimately the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened investigations which led to the grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9s.
Preliminary investigations found several critical bolts were missing from the door panel before takeoff. It called into question Boeing’s manufacturing practices and production lines.
That was not the only disturbing incident. Boeing had experienced previous safety concerns with the 737 Max 8 after two separate flights crashed killing all passengers aboard.
The resignations are no doubt meant to rebuild trust in Boeing’s commitment to safety and to reassure the public.
