Today’s key stories focus on Boeing management problems and the impact of the failure with the Starliner capsule. Stories in the press focused on analyzing the information gleaned during the NTSB hearings, which were brutally frank about Boeing’s safety failures. One article wondered why Boeing had safety lapses periodically every 5-6 years, another compared Boeing’s safety lapses to a game of Whac-A-Mile, and another highlighted the latest issues with improperly trained employees in the Space division.
In good news, Boeing received a contract to rapid prototype the E-7A Wedgetail for the USAF, likely to lead to a future order. Qatar Airways was also named the launch customer for the forthcoming 777-8F freighter model.
On management succession, it was noted that an exemption was given to Kelly Ortberg given his age, and a column suggests that successorship needs to be considered early on given a likely term of 6.5 years.
Finally, the Starliner issues have thrown a wrench in NASA’s plans for rotating crews at the International Space Station. The Voice of America had a balanced article describing the problems and the delayed return of the astronauts.
Links to today’s key stories follow:
- Boeing’s manufacturing woes long preceded door-panel blowout – Washington Post
- NTSB member compares Boeing safety lapses to a game of Whac-A-Mole – Seattle Times
- Things just got worse for Boeing – Daily Caller
- Boeing to rapid prototype E-7A Wedgetail for the U.S. Air Force – the Aviationist
- Qatar Airways’ launch customer of Boeing’s newest 777-8 freighter: Arekat – Gulf Times
- Succession: Like Biden, Boeing’s new CEO should only be an aerobridge – Mint
- Here’s what to know about NASA astronauts’ delayed return to earth – VOA
- Starliner issues throw a wrench in NASA’s crew rotation plans – Space Explored
