In the wake of heightened scrutiny over its quality control practices, Boeing announced on Monday that it is retracting its request for a safety exemption necessary to certify the new 737 Max 7 airliner. The move follows a recent incident in which a door panel blew out on a 737 Max 9, prompting concerns about the company’s commitment to safety.
Boeing had sought an exemption from federal regulators late last year to deliver the 737 Max 7 to customers, even though it did not meet a safety standard designed to prevent engine housing parts from overheating and breaking off during flight. However, after the door panel incident on an Alaska Airlines flight in Oregon earlier this month, criticism mounted against Boeing’s quality control practices.
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Democratic Senators Maria Cantwell and Tammy Duckworth, chairs of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, had urged the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to reject Boeing’s request. Boeing, in response, stated it would withdraw the petition, emphasizing its commitment to transparency, stakeholder input, and the enhancement of safety and quality within the company.
The safety concern revolves around an anti-icing system, that affects various models of the 737 Max already in operation. Boeing had hoped for an exemption until May 2026 while it worked on a permanent solution. However, the company now plans to incorporate an engineering solution during the certification process.
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Boeing’s decision received positive feedback from Senator Duckworth, who expressed hope for a positive shift in Boeing’s safety culture. The FAA had previously issued warnings to pilots about the hazard, advising limitations on the de-icing system’s use.
The recent incident led to the grounding of all Max 9s in the U.S., and while the FAA approved the inspection and maintenance process for their return, Southwest Airlines removed the Max 7 from its 2024 fleet plans. Boeing has faced challenges in the past, including the worldwide grounding of all Max jets for almost two years following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Stan Deal acknowledged the company’s shortcomings in a message to employees, expressing deep regret for the disruption caused to airlines and passengers. The focus now is on assisting airlines in restoring operations and addressing the concerns raised about the company’s safety practices.
