The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has initiated an investigation into Boeing Co. regarding statements made by the company concerning safety practices. This investigation follows an incident in which a panel detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 while flying over Oregon. The SEC will be looking into whether Boeing or its executives provided misleading information to investors. The Department of Justice also opened a criminal investigation in March, and the FBI has been informing passengers that they may be victims of a crime related to this incident. Boeing recently failed 33 aspects of a federal audit, raising concerns about the company’s compliance with safety regulations.
In response to the recent safety issues, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into Boeing after the company disclosed that it may have neglected required inspections on certain 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The FAA is currently looking into whether Boeing completed the necessary inspections and if there were any falsified records. Boeing is in the process of re-inspecting all 787 airplanes within its production system and is working on a plan to address the fleet already in operation. These developments come alongside a period of heightened scrutiny for Boeing, which has faced Senate hearings and made changes to its top management.
The series of mishaps involving Boeing aircraft in recent months have led to increased attention on the company’s safety practices. There have been multiple incidents with Boeing planes reported since January, contributing to a growing sense of concern among passengers and industry regulators. The deaths of two Boeing whistleblowers, along with Southwest Airlines’ decision to withdraw from certain airports due to Boeing-related delays, have added to the company’s challenges. United Airlines has also announced a pause in pilot hiring due to certification and manufacturing delays at Boeing, while asking pilots to take unpaid time off.
Boeing’s reputation has been tarnished by a string of safety issues and delays, leading to a significant impact on the company’s operations and financial performance. In March, Boeing reported a sharp decline in deliveries and its first quarterly revenue drop in nearly two years. The company is facing ongoing challenges as it navigates the fallout from the recent incidents and works to address concerns about its aircraft safety and compliance. The SEC investigation, along with the probes by other regulatory agencies, underscores the serious nature of the issues facing Boeing and the need for thorough scrutiny to ensure the safety of the flying public.