Boeing ousted Ed Clark, head of the jet manufacturer’s 737 Max passenger program, on Wednesday following a federal safety investigation after a mid-flight blow-out in January, according to CNBC.
Clark is leaving the company after 18 years and is being replaced by Katie Ringgold, who will become president and general manager of the 737 Max program, while a new position will be created for Elizabeth Lund to serve as senior vice president of quality, according to a memo sent out to employees and acquired by CNBC. The shake-up follows a probe by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) into the jet manufacturer after a Boeing-supplied Alaska Airlines plane had a side window panel blow off mid-flight, leading to an emergency landing and several injuries. (RELATED: Boeing Pauses Deliveries For Dozens Of Planes Due To Unveiled Issue)
“I am announcing several leadership changes as we continue driving [Boeing Commercial Airplanes]’ enhanced focus on ensuring that every airplane we deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements,” Stan Deal, CEO of Boeing’s commercial airplane unit, said in the memo. “Our customers demand, and deserve, nothing less.”
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The National Transportation Safety Board released an initial report in early February that found that the Alaska Airlines flight had no bolts installed on it at the beginning of the flight, meaning the issue happened during the manufacturing process. The door plug was made by Spirit AeroSystems Malaysia in March 2024 and was later installed on the plane in August of that year.
Since the in-flight incident, numerous manufacturing issues have been discovered on Boeing aircraft, such as misdrilled holes on some fuselages for around 50 undelivered 737 MAX jets. United Airlines also found loose bolts on at least five of its Boeing-made aircraft in its own inspection following the incident.
Some of the Alaska Airlines passengers have filed a lawsuit against Boeing following the in-flight accident, claiming to suffer from both emotional and physical trauma. The FAA cleared Boeing 737 Max 9s to return to service on Jan. 24.
Boeing did not immediately respond to a request to comment from the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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