An internal document states that Ed Clark, who oversaw Boeing’s Renton, Washington facility as general manager, departs the company immediately.
The chief of Boeing’s 737 Max program has been fired as the aircraft manufacturer attempts to rebuild its reputation after a frightening mid-air blowout.
When a brand-new 737 Max 9 aircraft was forced into an emergency landing last month, the corporation has been rushing to reassure authorities, airlines, and customers.
Boeing Announces Leadership Changes Amid Safety Concerns and Flight Grounding
This is Boeing’s largest safety concern since two of its Max 8 jets crashed in 2018 and 2019, killing 346 people notwithstanding the dramatic occurrence during an Alaska Airlines flight resulting in the grounding of 171 Max 9 aircraft for many weeks. Katie Ringgold, vice president of 737 delivery operations, will take over for Clark.
Elizabeth Lund was appointed to the newly formed position of senior vice president for quality in Boeing’s commercial aircraft division.
It follows an earlier investigation by the US safety agency that suggested four important fasteners were missing from the Alaska jet’s cabin panel.
Stan Deal, the head of Boeing’s commercial aircraft business, sent out a memo to staff members on Wednesday describing the changes as part of the company’s “enhanced focus on ensuring that every airplane we deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements.” Our clients expect and merit nothing less.
Board Reshuffle at Boeing: Calhoun Faces Leadership Challenge After FAA Visit
Deal continued, extending Clark the company’s “very best wishes” and said that he “departs with my, and our, deepest gratitude for his many significant contributions over nearly 18 years of dedicated service to Boeing.”
A person with knowledge of the situation said that the reorganization came about after a board meeting for Boeing.
CEO of Boeing, Dave Calhoun, has said that regaining the trust of authorities and airlines is a “serious challenge” for the company. Analysts have questioned if the company’s senior leaders would need to step down.
Next week, Calhoun will have a meeting with Mike Whitaker, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), after Whitaker’s visit to Renton to see the Boeing 737 facility.
The FAA first grounded the Max 9 for a few weeks in January. Since then, the planemaker’s output of the Max has been limited while the FAA analyzes its manufacturing procedures.
