Boeing CEO grilled by lawmakers over production, internal issues

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) - Boeing’s CEO was grilled by lawmakers Tuesday after a series of catastrophes and whistleblower complaints have plagued the company.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) who chaired the Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee on Investigation’s hearing called it “a moment of reckoning.”

Boeing CEO David Calhoun appeared before the subcommittee amid a flurry of production and internal issues. Beforehand, he addressed the family members of victims of past Max 737 crashes that killed hundreds of people.

“I apologize for the grief that we have caused,” said Calhoun.

Calhoun was also testifying for the first time since a door plug blew off the side of an Alaska Airliner mid-flight in January.

“We deeply regret the impact that the Alaska Airlines flight 1282 accident had on Alaska Airlines team and its passengers. And we are grateful to the pilots and crew for safely landing the plane,” he said.

Senator Blumenthal highlighted the more than a dozen whistleblowers who have tried speaking up about its safety concerns and Boeing allegedly concealing problems from the FAA.

“There is near overwhelming evidence in my view that prosecution should be pursued,” Blumenthal said.

Calhoun acknowledged them but admitted he has never talked to any Boeing employees that have come forward. Senator Ron Johnson (R-Wisc.) questioned the Boeing chief about his failure to speak to whistleblowers.

“Do you think that would be a good idea to do that,” Johnson said.

Calhoun replied, “Yeah. I think it would.”

Senator Johnson recommended that Calhoun actually speak to his employees, which the CEO agreed to do.

Calhoun previously announced he is retiring at the end of the year. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), who cited Calhoun’s nearly $33 million a year salary, said it should be sooner.

Hawley asked, “Why haven’t you resigned?”

The Boeing chief said he’s keeping to his plan.

“Senator, I’m sticking this through. I’m proud of having taken the job. I’m proud of this safety record, and I’m proud of our Boeing people.”

Hawley followed with a series of questions about what Calhoun was proud about at Boeing. The CEO testified that he is proud of every action the company has taken. Hawley was incredulous, saying, “Wow. There’s some news for you.”

The Justice Department is currently investigating Boeing for potential criminal charges related to the Alaska Airlines door panel blowout. The company may also be prosecuted for not living up to a deal it struck with government three years ago following two earlier 737 Max crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia.

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