Boeing CEO admits 'mistake' in terrifying midair blowout
Newsy
Federal regulators have grounded all Boeing 737 Max 9 jets after a panel on an Alaska Airlines flight detached nearly 16,000 feet in the air.
The head of one of the largest commercial airplane manufacturers in the world is now admitting that his company is to blame for a midair blowout last week that forced a passenger flight to make an emergency landing.
Boeing CEO David Calhoun said Tuesday the terrifying incident was a "mistake" that "can never happen again." That was in response to an Alaska Airlines flight leaving from Portland, Oregon, Friday when a panel — known as a door plug — became detached from the Boeing 737 Max 9 jet when it was already nearly 16,000 feet in the air.
The gaping hole caused the cabin to rapidly depressurize, forcing the pilot to turn around and make an emergency landing back at Portland International Airport. Of the 171 passengers and six crew members on board, only minor injuries were reported.
"I've got kids, I've got grandkids, and so do you," Calhoun said in an address to company employees. "This stuff matters. Everything matters. Every detail matters. I know I'm preaching to the choir here [but] this isn't a lecture, not by any stretch. It's nothing more than a reminder of the seriousness with which we have to approach our work."
Calhoun added that the company is going to work with the National Transportation Safety Board to investigate the incident and "get a conclusion" as to what the root cause was.
