Ian Scarffe
In a recent study commissioned by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing has been found to struggle with internal confusion and mistrust among its employees regarding the safety reporting systems implemented after two devastating crashes in 2018 and 2019. This report, unveiled on February 26, highlights significant issues within the aerospace behemoth’s approach to safety and its communication with its workforce.
Following the tragic incidents involving Lion Air and Ethiopian Airlines flights, both operated by Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft, the company has been under a microscope. The crashes, which resulted in the loss of 346 lives, sparked global concern over aviation safety and led to the grounding of the 737 MAX fleet worldwide. In response, Boeing introduced changes to its safety reporting procedures, aiming to bolster transparency and prevent future tragedies. However, this new study suggests that these changes may not be having the intended effect.
The expert panel appointed by the FAA to conduct the study found a pervasive “disconnect” between Boeing’s senior management and its broader employee base. Many workers reportedly remain skeptical that their safety concerns can be raised without fear of retribution. The report describes Boeing’s safety procedures and training as overly complex and subject to frequent changes, causing confusion among employees across various work sites and job functions.
This analysis gains added relevance in light of a January 5 incident where an Alaska Airlines flight, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX, made an emergency landing, leading to a temporary grounding of certain aircraft within the model line. While the report did not specifically address this incident, it did note ongoing “serious quality issues” at Boeing, underscoring the panel’s concerns regarding the company’s safety culture and reporting mechanisms.
Among the key findings, the panel identified 27 areas of concern and proposed 53 recommendations aimed at improving Boeing’s safety culture. These include standardizing safety training across the company, increasing transparency in how employee complaints are handled, and enhancing pilots’ roles in safety and training initiatives. The FAA has pledged to promptly review these recommendations and ensure Boeing addresses them comprehensively.
Boeing, in turn, has expressed gratitude to the panel for its insights and committed to reviewing and learning from the findings. The company acknowledged the steps it has already taken to promote a culture of safety, such as the introduction of the Speak Up portal—a confidential online system for reporting production, safety, or ethics concerns. Despite these efforts, the report suggests that employees harbor distrust in the anonymity of the Speak Up program and prefer direct communication with their managers. Furthermore, there seems to be widespread uncertainty among the workforce regarding which reporting system to use and how to use it effectively.
The FAA’s commissioned report paints a picture of a company still grappling with the aftermath of tragic accidents and striving to rebuild trust—both within its ranks and among the flying public. It underscores the need for Boeing to simplify and clarify its safety reporting processes, ensuring that employees feel empowered and protected when raising concerns. As Boeing vows to continue its journey towards a stronger safety culture, the industry and regulators will be watching closely to see how the company translates these commitments into tangible improvements.
