Whistleblower report critical of FAA oversight on Boeing

The certification process of commercial aircraft and engine programs by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) suffers from “undue pressure on line engineers and production staff.” It is often understaffed, expertise is ignored, and at times, the FAA lacks the capability to certify complex aircraft systems. Oversight on Boeing’s Organization Designation Authorization (ODA) program has eroded. These and other findings should result in a complete review of the FAA’s role on oversight and its safety culture, a report by the US Senate Committee of Commerce, Science, and Transportation says. Whistleblower report critical of FAA oversight on Boeing.

The “Aviation Safety Whistleblower Report” chaired under Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell was released on December 13. It includes extensive statements from seven whistleblowers who contacted the Committee with their experiences and recommendations of aircraft safety and certification within the FAA. The report is a follow-up of the House Committee

investigation into the design and certification of the Boeing MAX after the two fatal crashes in October 2018 and March 2019, in which 346 occupants lost their lives.

Already in a September 2020 report, the House Committee criticized FAA oversight on the MAX and other Boeing programs, as “multiple career FAA officials have documented examples where FAA management overruled a determination of the FAA’s own technical experts at the behest of Boeing.” This report and its recommendations resulted in the December 2020 Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, with the aim to improve oversight. Whistleblowers offered insight and advice to the Committee when the legislation was drafted. The latest report, of which various details have been published in past months, discloses with their approval the identity of the seven whistleblowers. It comes with further recommendations.