A new Southwest Airlines Boeing 737 Max plane faced a malfunction in its automated stabilizing system during one of its first flights, leading to an emergency landing, while an Alaska Airlines 737 Max had issues with its fire detection system just two months later. In another instance, an engine failure occurred on a newly delivered United Airlines 737 Max at a high altitude. These incidents, though not widely reported and with no immediate threats to passengers, have raised concerns about the overall quality of Boeing aircraft.
Aviation safety experts and former Boeing employees have expressed worry about the company's manufacturing standards, indicating a trend of shortcuts and compromised quality. The experience level of Boeing's workforce has decreased since the pandemic, the inspection process designed to ensure mechanic work quality has weakened over time, and some suppliers have struggled to meet Boeing's required pace without compromising standards. These challenges have put pressure on Boeing to address its manufacturing concerns, leading to leadership changes, including the retirement of Stan Deal, the head of the commercial planes division responsible for the 737 Max.
Employees and former workers at Boeing have raised issues of compromised quality control standards, with reports of parts being installed without proper inspection or logging. Workers assembling planes have been known to take shortcuts to meet production deadlines, bypassing quality procedures meant to detect defective or substandard components. Instances of wires being improperly routed have also been reported, increasing the risk of potential damage due to friction between them.
Boeing's manufacturing processes are now under increased scrutiny following a series of incidents and reports highlighting concerns about the company's standards and practices. The need to address these quality issues and ensure the safety of Boeing aircraft has prompted leadership changes and raised questions about the company's commitment to upholding safety and quality standards in aircraft manufacturing.