Boeing, on Wednesday (21/2), said that it would immediately replace the head of the troubled 737 MAX program. The decision is the first executive resignation since the door panel came loose on the new Alaska Airlines MAX 9 on January 5.
Ed Clark, who has worked at the planemaker for nearly 18 years, is stepping down, as Boeing faces its latest crisis and vows to improve quality.
Regulators have restricted Boeing's production and US members of Congress and customers are increasingly looking closely at the planemaker's production and safety efforts.
Boeing is working to clarify and strengthen safety procedures after a door panel on its new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 plane came loose in flight. The pilot was forced to make an emergency landing because the passengers were faced with a large hole when the plane was at an altitude of almost 4,900 meters.
Clark resigned after Boeing's board of directors met this week and approved the changes, according to a source familiar with the matter. Clark oversaw Boeing's production facility in Renton, Washington, where final assembly of the plane involved in the incident occurred.
Katie Ringgold replaced him as vice president and general manager of the 737 program, according to a memo seen by Reuters news agency. The memo was sent to staff by Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal, who said that Boeing strives to ensure “every aircraft delivered meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements. Customers are demanding, and deserve it.”
The incident comes as Boeing is still trying to rebuild its reputation after the 737 MAX was grounded for 20 months after being involved in two fatal crashes. The ban was lifted in November 2020. The two MAX jet crashes killed 346 people.
Airline industry executives have expressed frustration over Boeing's quality. The only other major manufacturer of commercial aircraft is Airbus, France. (ka/hour)