Boeing CEO Acknowledges Shortcomings in Company Culture

Safety Concerns Prompt Admission from Dave Calhoun

In the wake of a series of safety incidents, Boeing's chief executive, Dave Calhoun, admitted to problems within the company's safety culture. Calhoun addressed lawmakers in the U.S. Senate, acknowledging concerns raised after a mid-air incident in January 2020. During that incident, a door blew off a brand-new Boeing 737 Max airplane operated by Alaska Airlines.

Calhoun's prepared remarks highlighted his understanding of the scrutiny Boeing faced. He stated, "Our culture is far from perfect, but we are taking action and making progress. We understand the gravity." This admission comes after a period of intense focus on Boeing, with investigations and congressional hearings following the 737 Max door incident. 

The incident was not the first to raise safety concerns. In October 2018, a Lion Air crash involving a 737 Max resulted in the tragic loss of 189 lives. The crash led to a grounding of the 737 Max fleet by regulators around the world.

Calhoun took the helm at Boeing in 2020, a time when the company was grappling with the aftermath of these incidents. His comments suggest that Boeing is taking steps to address the identified cultural issues.