Dave Calhoun, the CEO of Boeing, announced his resignation following weeks of scrutiny on safety failures plaguing the aircraft company. This decision comes after a series of incidents involving Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, including an Alaska Airlines flight where a door blew off mid-air. Calhoun will step down by the end of the year as part of a management overhaul at Boeing, with Larry Kellner and Stan Deal also leaving their positions soon.
The Alaska Airlines incident prompted a criminal investigation and all Boeing 737 Max 8s were grounded and inspected by the government. The recent death of a Boeing whistleblower, who testified against the company, added to the ongoing scandal. Calhoun’s address to employees mentioned the door incident, which has caused customers to avoid certain plane models, as a ‘watershed’ moment for Boeing.
Calhoun has been CEO for four years, succeeding his predecessor Dennis Muilenberg after similar safety issues in 2019. The company faced allegations of overlooking safety standards after two crashes claimed 346 lives. Calhoun emphasized the importance of responding to the accidents with transparency and a total commitment to safety within the company. Despite the challenges, he expressed confidence that Boeing would emerge as a better company in the future.
Recent reports suggest that the Alaska Airlines door incident was caused by a malfunctioning door plug, leading to the detachment of a panel at 16,000 feet. Fortunately, all passengers survived due to wearing their seatbelts. National Transportation Safety Board Chair Jennifer Homendy praised the passengers’ quick thinking and highlighted the importance of seatbelt use during such emergencies.
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