On a chaotic day for Boeing, a third passenger plane in just two days suffered a technical problem, raising serious questions about the safety and reliability of the aircraft manufacturing giant. This latest incident, involving a Turkish-based Corendon Airlines flight, saw a Boeing 737-800’s tire burst during landing at Gazipasa airport in Turkey.
While none of the 190 passengers and crew were injured, it was the third such incident in as many days, with two other Boeing planes experiencing mishaps or crashes.
Just a day earlier, a Boeing 767 cargo plane operated by FedEx made an emergency landing at Istanbul Airport after its front landing gear failed. Dramatic footage showed the plane’s nose skidding along the runway before coming to a stop. The incident was followed by a horrific crash in Senegal, where a Boeing 737-300 en route from Burkina Faso to Senegal skidded off the runway and caught fire during takeoff. While 11 people were injured, no deaths have been reported, with authorities still trying to determine the cause of the crash.
These series of incidents have raised concerns about Boeing’s safety record and have added to the company’s ongoing woes. In March, Dave Calhoun announced he would be stepping down as CEO at the end of the year, amidst plunging share prices and intense scrutiny over safety concerns. Passengers are even said to be changing flights to avoid Boeing’s fleet or traveling with anti-anxiety medication due to the fear of flying in their planes.
The crashes and mishaps have also brought to light a string of safety failures and quality control issues within the company, as well as accusations of falsifying records. In April, it was revealed that workers at a South Carolina plant had falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes, prompting an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This incident, along with others, has also raised questions about the effectiveness of Boeing’s safety measures and whether the company is being transparent about potential hazards.
Families of the victims of the 2018 and 2019 crashes have also pushed for criminal charges against Boeing for violating the terms of a deferred prosecution agreement. The recent deaths of two whistleblowers, one who died of a mysterious infection and the other who died by suicide, have only added to the speculation and controversy surrounding the company. Both whistleblowers had raised concerns about shortcuts being taken to manufacture planes, potentially compromising safety quickly.
Boeing’s share prices have taken a hit as a result of these incidents and mounting controversy. The company’s troubles have continued to escalate, with hazardous glitches affecting flights on a regular basis. This includes instances such as a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner plummeting 300ft, injuring more than 50 people, just days before a Boeing 737 MAX-8 operated by United Airlines veered off the runway in Houston, Texas. These incidents have once again raised questions about the safety and reliability of Boeing’s planes.
While the cause of these recent incidents is still under investigation, they have highlighted the need for stricter safety regulations and stricter oversight of aircraft manufacturers. As the investigation into these incidents continues, it is clear that there are serious issues within Boeing that need to be addressed.
The company must demonstrate a commitment to ensuring the safety of its planes and the people who fly in them and work towards rebuilding trust with its customers and the public. Only then can the once-revered aviation giant regain its reputation and start down the path towards a safer, more transparent future.
