NTSB issues 'urgent' safety warning for some Boeing 737s

Saturday, September 28, 2024

The National Transportation Safety Board is issuing "urgent safety recommendations" for some Boeing 737s -- including the embattled 737 MAX line -- warning that critical flight controls could jam.

Posted by redial at 11:33 AM | 11 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

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... The National Transportation Safety Board is issuing "urgent safety recommendations" for some Boeing 737s"including the embattled 737 MAX line" warning that critical flight controls could jam. ...

OK, there are times when I am happy that I am no longer able to board an airplane due to my medical condition.

This is one of those times.

Stated differently... what has happened to Boeing?

It was once a most respected company.

Then the MBAs' (remember them, from the "yuppies" of the 80's?) seemed to have acquired the company and soaked the money, and the quality, out of the company for their personal wealth.

Kudos to the uber-wealthy.

A great American company seems to have been destroyed for the pursuit of the uber-wealthy.

#1 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-26 11:01 PM | Reply

@#1 ... Then the MBAs' (remember them, from the "yuppies" of the 80's?) ...

In case you need a reminder ...

The Pheromones - YuppieDrone (1986)
www.youtube.com

#2 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-26 11:06 PM | Reply

what has happened to Boeing?

Being a US defense contractor has its perks.

#3 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-09-26 11:28 PM | Reply

Great! Monday I board a 737 in Tucson to fly to NH. I'm wondering if I should buy parachute so I can jump out when the door flies off after the controls jam.

#4 | Posted by Yodagirl at 2024-09-28 12:13 PM | Reply

As I recollect Boeing moved their hq from Seattle where most manufacturing and the heart of company was located to Chicago (where nothing is done effectively). That divorced engineering and real world from bean counters. They probably became contaminated with the inefficiency and foolishness and politics and PC. They messed with corp culture just as Dems and open borders screws with American culture.

#5 | Posted by Robson at 2024-09-28 05:05 PM | Reply

Boeing moved their hq from Seattle where most manufacturing and the heart of company was located to Chicago

And then they moved it to Virginia.

#6 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-09-28 05:36 PM | Reply

@#3 ... Being a US defense contractor has its perks. ...

If you are talking about profits to the wealthy owners, then, yeah.

But Boeing, since the takeover, seems to be a floodlight-lit example of what happens when a company changes its focus from excellent engineering to channeling increasing profits to the wealthy owners.

Eventually, those profits are not so lucrative anymore, and the company suffers.

But the wealthy owners apparently can just walk away with the money.

#7 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 07:16 PM | Reply

If you are talking about profits to the wealthy owners, then, yeah.

Here's something to consider. A few years ago the USAF wanted to get some new air tankers for the fleet. They put out a request for quotes based on their required criteria. Boeing put in a proposal, as did Airbus, partnered with another company, I think Lockheed Martin.

After considering the proposals, the air force picked the Airbus proposal. Boeing went screaming to the government about an unfair bidding process and the requirements not being clear. The GAO voided the deal, and the air force put out a new set of criteria for the planes.

Lockheed pulled out of the deal since, in their view, the new criteria clearly favoured the Boeing design. The contract was then given to Boeing.

So, given all that, where is the incentive to Boeing to build better planes? Why hire top notch engineers when what you really need are lawyers? Boeing's new HQ, by the way, is right across the Potomac from Washington, DC.

#8 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-09-28 07:31 PM | Reply

@#8 ... So, given all that, where is the incentive to Boeing to build better planes? Why hire top notch engineers when what you really need are lawyers? ...

Yup, the wealthy seemed to have turn Boeing into a cash-cow for the wealthy owners.

Quality be damned.

I mean, who cares if parts fall of Boeing passenger planes?

So long as the wealthy owners get their ROI.

#9 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 08:05 PM | Reply

Yup, the wealthy seemed to have turn Boeing into a cash-cow for the wealthy owners.

As they have with most big companies. Being profitable is not enough... every year you have to be more profitable.

#10 | Posted by REDIAL at 2024-09-28 08:26 PM | Reply

@#10 ... every year you have to be more profitable. ...

At what cost, though?

That is the question that Boeing seems to have answered.

What happened to Boeing, with the wealthy-takeover, reminds me of what is happening to healthcare, with the wealthy (a.k.a. private equity) takeover.

#11 | Posted by LampLighter at 2024-09-28 08:31 PM | Reply