FAA Proposes $3.1 Million Fine to Boeing Amid Safety Violations

FAA Proposes $3.1 Million Fine

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $3.1 million fine against Boeing due to a series of safety violations. These include failures to meet aircraft worthiness inspections and a midair emergency that occurred in 2024.

Criticism from Federal Officials

The agency's announcement on Friday highlighted criticism from federal officials, citing the company’s attempt to intimidate a worker to approve a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft despite safety standard failures.

Boeing's Response

Boeing has pledged to continue enhancing its safety culture and accountability measures across its operations. A spokesperson stated, “Last year, under FAA oversight, we instituted a Safety & Quality Plan with key performance indicators to improve safety management and quality assurance in airplane production.”

Production and Compliance Issues

In addition to the penalties, the FAA found numerous quality system violations at Boeing’s production sites in Renton, Washington, and at a subcontractor factory managed by Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas.

Impacts on Workforce and Production

Earlier this year, the Spirit AeroSystems supplier furloughed 700 workers for 21 days due to an ongoing Boeing employee strike. To cut costs, Boeing has instituted a hiring freeze and eliminated overtime, affecting production rates as it deals with persistent controversies.

FAA Review of Aircraft

The FAA is currently reviewing each 737 MAX and 787 aircraft before issuing airworthiness certificates essential for delivery. Boeing faces a production cap of 38 planes per month for the 737 MAX, with individual planes valued between $100 million to $135 million.

Future of the Production Cap

FAA administrator Bryan Bedford mentioned that no decisions have been made regarding lifting the production limit, which has been effective for more than a year.