A Senate subcommittee has summoned Boeing CEO David Calhoun to testify about the company's jetliners in the wake of new safety-related charges from a whistleblower, as reported by news agency AP. According or the report, the inquiry, prompted by alarming allegations, will delve into potential safety risks associated with Boeing's aircraft.
Scheduled for April 17, the hearing will feature testimony from Sam Salehpour, a Boeing quality engineer, who is expected to detail safety concerns regarding the manufacture and assembly of the 787 Dreamliner. The subcommittee expressed grave concerns in a letter, warning that these issues could pose potentially catastrophic safety risks.
Boeing has yet to confirm whether Calhoun will attend the hearing. However, a spokesperson said that the company is cooperating with the subcommittee's inquiry, offering to provide documents, testimony, and technical briefings.
Since February, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been investigating Salehpour's allegations. However, the FAA did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the ongoing investigation, according to AP.
Salehpour's concerns, recently highlighted in a New York Times article, include allegations of retaliation he faced after raising safety concerns. According to Salehpour, changes in the assembly process of the 787 Dreamliner's fuselage raised alarms. He believes that shortcuts in the assembly process may have led to deformations in the composite material used in the aircraft's outer skin, potentially compromising its structural integrity.
Boeing, in a statement spanning 1,500 words, vehemently defended the safety of the 787 Dreamliner. The company refuted claims of structural integrity issues and asserted its confidence in the aircraft's safety over several decades of service. Boeing also mentioned its strict prohibition against retaliation and encouraged employees to voice concerns.
This scrutiny comes amid ongoing concerns over Boeing's safety record, highlighted by incidents such as a door panel blowing out on a 737 Max 9 jet in January. Subsequent investigations revealed missing bolts on the panel, raising questions about Boeing's quality control processes. Both the 787 Dreamliner and the 737 Max have faced production defects, causing delays in deliveries and impacting airlines' operations.
Calhoun's forthcoming retirement announcement in March adds to the turbulence within Boeing's leadership, following the departure of other high-ranking executives and the decision by the board chairman not to seek re-election in May.