Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun, along with two top executives, announced they will step down from their positions at the company following a string of accidents that have led to major safety concerns from the public.
In a memo posted to the company’s website on Monday, Mr Calhoun said the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 incident was a “watershed moment” for Boeing and that he would leave the company after this year as the company looks to commit more safety and quality assurances.
“We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company,” Mr Calhoun wrote.
Reflecting on his time as “the greatest privilege” of his life, Mr Calhoun said the company was going to fix what is no longer working to help rebuild its safety reputation.
In addition to Mr Calhoun’s departure, Chairman, Larry Kellner, and CEO and President of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Stan Deal, will also step down.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun speaks to reporters as he departs from a meeting at the office of Sen. Mark Warner
(Getty Images)
The news comes after a string of high-profile accidents led to public distrust in Boeing aircrafts, specifically the 737 Max.
In January, the door panel blew out on a 737 Max mid-air on an Alaska Airlines flight. Photos and videos from the incident went viral and led to public panic. Ultimately the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) opened investigations which led to the grounding of all Boeing 737 Max 9s.
Preliminary investigations found several critical bolts were missing from the door panel before takeoff. It called into question Boeing’s manufacturing practices and production lines.
But Boeing’s problems did not stop or end with the Alaska Airlines incident.
The company had previous safety concerns with the 737 Max 8 after two separate flights crashed killing all passengers aboard.
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