Boeing is the world’s second-largest commercial aircraft manufacturer and has been producing commercial aircraft since 1916. Known for their iconic 700 series commercial jet aircraft, Boeing is considered a pioneer of aircraft technology. They also produce military jets, primarily for the United States Air Force. 

But since 2018, the time has been turbulent for Boeing as the 737 Max crashed into Lion Air Flight 610. This was a turning point for Boeing, as subsequent crashes happened further. Let’s go ahead in this blog and know what’s going on with Boeing in 2024.

2019 Boeing 737 Max Groundings

The aircraft manufacturer got one of the biggest negative PR hits when the Boeing 737 Max suffered two fatal crashes. The first crash occurred on October 29, 2018, and the second crash occurred on March 10, 2019. This was the incident that shook the aircraft industry across the world, as nobody expected this from Boeing. 

As Boeing promoted the 737 Max as one of the safest offerings from their passenger aircraft family, the crashes reversed the claims. Those two crashes occurred in a time interval of less than 6 months. This was a major event in the history of aviation, and the 737 Max was immediately grounded after the second incident.

China was the first country to put a total ban on the flying of 737 Max type aircraft in the country. After that, other big countries like the US, Australia, India, the European Union, Turkey, etc. did the same. This was a shocker for Boeing, as they were forced to shut down even the production line.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) revoked the airworthiness license of the 737 Max. The same step was taken by several aviation authorities across the world. Boeing’s stocks fell, and many airlines cancelled their 737 orders, as nobody likes an aircraft that crashes twice within a span of only 6 months. 

Reasons Behind 737 Max Crashes

The FAA ordered an investigation into the crashes and the information gathered in the process led to a clear conclusion. The crashes occurred due to a malfunction in the MCAS (Manoeuvering Characteristics Augmentation System) that forcefully changed the angle of attack on the nose of the aircraft. This led to nosedives of the aircraft, which resulted in deadly crashes. 

This fatal error wasn’t reported by Boeing to various airlines across the world that flew Boeing 737 Max-type aircraft. This was a serious violation of standard safety procedures and prompted several lawsuits against Boeing. The blatant act of negligence made the company a negative force in the world of aviation. 

Fresh 2024 Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 Incident

On January 5, 2024, Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was on its way from Portland to Ontario when a frightening incident occurred shortly after takeoff. The Boeing 737 MAX 9 experienced a sudden decompression of the cabin due to a malfunction in a door plug that is essential for safety. 

The pilot had to quickly turn the plane around and make an emergency landing back in Portland. Thankfully, all 171 passengers and six crew members survived, although three people did suffer minor injuries.

After this troubling incident, it was uncovered that there was a serious oversight and possible neglect. The investigations carried out by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) revealed that the aircraft’s maintenance was lacking. It was found that four crucial bolts, necessary for securing the door plug, were missing during the accident.

This, along with records showing that Boeing had previously reinstalled the plug without bolts before delivery, raises significant concerns about safety procedures and regulations in the aviation sector. The reputation and image that Boeing had in the aviation industry since the past couple of decades seem to be fading away now. 

Whistleblowers Reveal Lapses In Boeing Safety Practices

More than 32 whistleblower claims have been registered against Boeing, of which one died a while ago due to self-inflicted gunshot wounds. This raises eyebrows across the world, and everything is pointing towards one thing, which is Boeing choosing money over safety. 

If all the claims by the whistleblowers and aviation safety experts turn out to be true, Boeing could fall down soon. The company has already lost the biggest market share to its competitor, Airbus. Airbus has benefited a lot from Boeing’s downfall in the narrow-body aircraft market. 

Is It Game Over For Boeing?

The main question at hand is: Is Boeing facing significant challenges? In recent times, Boeing has encountered numerous setbacks. The crashes involving the 737 Max aircraft have particularly impacted Boeing. These incidents resulted in a loss of trust in their planes and led to countries imposing bans on their operations. 

Presently, another alarming event involving a Boeing aircraft has stirred further concerns among the public. Reports suggest that Boeing could be facing some serious challenges. The company has been losing customers to Airbus, and there are reports from whistleblowers suggesting that Boeing prioritized profits over the safety of their planes. If these issues persist, Boeing may struggle to compete in 2024.

Conclusion

In January 2024, there was a major issue with Alaska Airlines Flight 1282, showing a lack of proper maintenance that raised concerns about Boeing’s safety procedures. The investigation pointed out the absence of important bolts, suggesting a lack of care. Whistleblower reports accused Boeing of putting profits above safety, damaging their reputation even more. 

Boeing is now dealing with tough competition from Airbus and a loss of trust from customers, making its future uncertain. The company’s fate is at stake as they try to pass through a period of intense scrutiny and doubt in the aviation world.

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