Boeing has appointed Admiral Kirkland H. Donald, US Navy (Ret) as special advisor to Boeing president and CEO David Calhoun, effective immediately. Donald and his team of outside experts are tasked with conducting an “independent and comprehensive assessment” of Boeing’s quality management system in the wake of the Alaska Airlines incident.
The team’s assessment will encompass quality programmes and practices in Boeing manufacturing facilities as well as its oversight of commercial supplier quality.
Calhoun confirmed that Donald’s team will also provide “actionable recommendations for strengthening our oversight of quality in our own factories and throughout our extended commercial airplane production system,” adding that the unit will have “any and all support” needed.
Prior to his retirement from the Navy, Donald served as a nuclear trained submarine officer for 37 years, rising to the position of director, naval nuclear propulsion. In this role, which he held for eight years, Donald ensured ‘the safe and effective operation of all nuclear-powered warships and supporting infrastructure,’ a programme Boeing adds is ‘recognised worldwide for excellence in reactor safety and reliability’.
Last week, Stan Deal, chief executive of Boeing’s commercial aircraft unit, sent a memo to employees explaining the company would be “taking immediate actions to bolster quality assurance and controls across our factories”. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also announced ‘new and significant actions to immediately increase its oversight of Boeing production and manufacturing’, including an independent third-party audit of the 737 9 MAX production line and its suppliers.