WASHINGTON D.C., DC — Boeing is under new scrutiny after another whistleblower came forward this week with concerning allegations about aircraft safety. Now, Connecticut’s Sen. Richard Blumenthal has scheduled a hearing with the permanent subcommittee on investigations to look into these complaints.
“If Boeing continues to disregard safety and quality and put profits over everything else, the public's endangered,” Blumenthal said. “It creates gaps in the manufacturing integrity, and especially when it retaliates against employees who have legitimate complaints. Whistleblowers are trying to improve the company's product. (Boeing) ought to be held accountable before there is a tragedy.”
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In 2019, former Boeing Quality Manager John Barnett, who spent 32 years with the company, accused Boeing of lowering its production standards. Police found him shot dead in his car in an apparent suicide on March 9.
Then on April 10, a current Boeing engineer, Sam Salepour, came forward echoing the concerns raised by Barnett. The combined testimonies, in addition to a January incident where a door plug blew off an Alaskan Airlines flight, propelled the subcommittee investigation.
Blumenthal said Salehpour plans to answer questions before Congress next Wednesday.
“There have been repeated, serious allegations about Boeing's failure to prioritize safety in its manufacturing of the 787 (and) the 737 planes that carry passengers routinely on many of the most prominent airlines,” Blumenthal said. “This whistleblower deserves to be heard by the public.”
Salapour accused Boeing of taking production shortcuts and warned that aging airplanes could potentially degrade mid-flight.
"I'm doing this not because I want Boeing to fail, but because I want it to succeed, and prevent crashes from happening," Salehpour told reporters in a virtual meeting on Tuesday. "The truth is, Boeing can't keep going the way it is. It needs to do a little bit better, I think."
Blumental said the traveling public should still feel safe to fly, but he fears lives could be at risk in the future if changes in practices and protocols are not made now.
“Let's prevent a tragedy,” Blumenthal said. “Boeing has that responsibility on its own, and apparently it has ignored it and, in fact, disregarded complaints (and) retaliated against whistleblowers. And the repeated shocking allegations of manufacturing failures point to an absence of safety culture and safety practices and a company that prioritizes profits stock prices rewards for its management above everything else.”
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Blumenthal also noted that maintaining safety in the skies is not entirely Boeing’s burden.
“I think the airlines ought to be asked questions as well,” Blumenthal said. “The maintenance issue is real. The responsibility of airlines is definitely relevant. And the airlines should be asked questions as well. And I would anticipate we will be asking those questions of the airlines, about maintenance, about scrutiny, about questions they've asked of Boeing.”
The Senate subcommittee has already requested documents from Boeing as it prepares its investigation. Boeing has also been asked to appear before Congress at a later date.
“Sunlight discloses will help with accountability, and Boeing remains under a potential criminal action by the Department of Justice,” Blumenthal said.
Boeing downplayed this week’s whistleblower complaint, calling the claims “inaccurate,” adding the company is “fully confident in the safety and durability” of its fleet.
The NTSB and FAA continue to interview whistleblowers and Boeing, who is so far cooperating with the investigations. Blumenthal hopes the company will do the same with the Senate subcommittee.
The first hearing is scheduled for April 17.
Bridgette Bjorlo is an anchor and reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at bbjorlo@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
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