Boeing’s 737 Max project leader leaves amid safety concerns
The head of Boeing’s 737 Max programme, Ed Clark, has left the plane maker amid intense scrutiny around production and safety measures following a January 5 mid-air panel blowout.
Mr Clark, who had been with the plane maker for nearly 18 years, departed as Boeing, after dealing with its latest crisis, has vowed to bolster quality efforts.
The changes came after Boeing’s board met this week, a source told Reuters.
Boeing has been rushing to explain and strengthen safety procedures after the door plug on a new Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 detached during flight.
Mr Clark was in charge of the company’s production unit in Renton, Washington, where the plane involved in the accident was completed.
He is being replaced by Katie Ringgold as vice president and general manager, according to the memo, which was sent to the company’s employees by Boeing Commercial Aeroplanes chief executive Stan Deal.
The memo was first reported by The Seattle Times on Wednesday.
The newspaper quoted the letter as saying the change was necessary for “enhanced focus on ensuring that every aeroplane we deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements”.
The leadership changes come ahead of Boeing chief executive Dave Calhoun’s planned meeting with Federal Aviation Administration head Mike Whitaker next week after the regulator travelled to Renton to tour the Boeing 737 plant.
The FAA grounded the Max 9 for several weeks in January and has capped Boeing’s production of the Max while it audits the plane maker’s manufacturing process.
The panel that flew off the jet appeared to be missing four key bolts, according to a preliminary report from the US National Safety Transportation Board released this month. According to the report, the panel was removed to repair rivet damage, but the NTSB has not found evidence the bolts were reinstalled.
The panel is a plug in place on some 737 Max 9 planes instead of an additional emergency exit.