FAA panel condemns Boeing safety culture

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has published its ‘Section 103 Organisation Designation Authorisations (ODA) for Transport Airplanes Expert Panel Review Report,’ highlighting concerns over Boeing’s safety management systems procedures and condemning its safety culture implementation as ‘inadequate and confusing’. The review investigated the manufacturer’s safety management policies, policies and activities from 2009 (when Boeing received its ODA) to the conclusion of the panel’s analysis in February 2024. A total of 27 findings and 53 recommendations were highlighted following an extensive review of Boeing’s documents, alongside interviews, meetings and surveys conducted across six company locations. The expert panel observed a ‘disconnect between Boeing’s senior management and other members of the organisation on safety culture,’ with interviewees questioning ‘whether Boeing’s safety reporting systems would function in a way that ensures open communication and non-retaliation’. The panel also observed ‘inadequate and confusing’ implementation of the five components of a positive safety culture (consisting of reporting, just, flexible, learning and informed culture). Although Boeing’s safety management system (SMS) procedures reflect ICAO and FAA SMS frameworks, ‘the Boeing SMS procedures are not structured in a way that ensures all employees understand their role in the company’s SMS,’ continued the report, noting that ‘procedures and training are complex and in a state of change, creating employee confusion’. Despite Boeing’s restructuring of the ODA unit having a positive impact, there are still ‘opportunities for retaliation to occur’, adds the expert panel. Additionally, further factors – including inadequate human factors consideration commensurate to its importance to aviation safety’ – were also highlighted. Boeing has six months to review the report’s recommendations and ‘develop an action plan that includes a milestone-based approach that comprehensively addresses each recommendation,’ which should be shared with the FAA. A spokesperson for Boeing noted that the company “transparently supported the panel’s review and appreciate their work,” adding: “We’ve taken important steps to foster a safety culture that empowers and encourages all employees to share their voice. But there is more work to do. We will carefully review the panel’s assessment and learn from their findings, as we continue our comprehensive efforts to improve our safety and quality programs”.