Boeing CEO Faces Tough Questions from US Senators Amidst Emotional Testimony
Boeing’s chief executive Dave Calhoun faced a grilling from US senators about the company’s culture as family members of Boeing crash victims yelled at him throughout the hearing. Mr. Calhoun testified to Congress that the company had learned from past mistakes but lawmakers accused him of not doing enough to rectify a culture of retaliation. The recent incident where a door panel fell off a new 737 Max plane intensified scrutiny on the company.
Boeing whistleblowers highlighted serious production issues with various models, attributing some problems to an “untrained workforce” resulting from layoffs and turnover. The company faced criticism after two 737 Max aircraft crashes in 2019, leading to the loss of 346 lives.
Family members of victims demanded accountability and justice during the hearing, emphasizing the need for criminal charges against Boeing. Mr. Calhoun’s emotional apology and Boeing’s commitment to investigate and improve its safety culture were met with skepticism from lawmakers and families alike.