US Regulator Opens Boeing Safety Review Amid Reports Of Pressure

In the wake of crashes, Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration came under intense scrutiny from Congress and the public for their close relationship during the airplane manufacturing process.

US air safety regulators will open a review of operations at Boeing after feedback from inspectors assigned to provide oversight for the government showed many feel unable to share their concerns. The findings have echoes of the issues surrounding the aviation giant's 737 MAX, which suffered two crashes in 2018 and 2019 that claimed 346 lives and led to a 20-month grounding of the aircraft. In the wake of the tragedies, Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) came under intense scrutiny from Congress and the public for their close relationship during the airplane manufacturing process that some viewed as undermining safety oversight. Under an arrangement called Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), safety inspectors are paid by Boeing but are expected to report to the FAA.