Boeing's Plan To Build Better 737 MAX Planes

Elizabeth Lund, the senior vice president of quality of Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA), shared the company’s plans to make its Boeing 737 MAX assembly line safer and more focused on quality. The information was shared at a media briefing at one of the company’s sites. Interestingly - and unfortunately - Lund’s statement on June 25th included statements that resulted in the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) sanctioning Boeing for disclosing non-public information. In this video, let’s take a deep dive into Boeing’s plan, the information shared, and how it found itself in more hot water with the NTSB as a result!
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[@Vikseemungal]

'One piece of paperwork shocked management' meanwhile management moved a whole state so they don't have to deal with the engineers face to face.

[@simonchan5303]

The muddy water is getting even more muddy now 😂

[@jaypilot2643]

They see clear as mud now😂

[@claycassin8437]

Step one: make sure there's no leftover bolts lying on the floor.

[@AshrakAhmed]

So they had a different plan before for 737 MAX?

[@bp900]

Yeah but someone copied the the plan labeled incompetent and distributed it to various teams

[@dprox4933]

Quantity over Quality

[@2adamast]

They know that focusing on quantity didn't give quantity, I guess they search quantity by focusing more on quality now

[@rockets4kids]

This applies to bull feces as well.

[@sundragon7703]

All Lund's dog & pony show did was "pass the buck" and "wash hands". The door plug incident was a symptom of larger issues. Focusing on a symptom does not fix the problem(s). [History note of a reason of how the plane maker ended up here: Boeing offered their most experienced people early retirement to reduce overhead. Metaphorically, Boeing cut-off an arm to lose 15 pounds.]

[@cabottaxi]

What about the ones that they have already built. Are they substandard ?

[@TheKolian1996]

I hope so. If the absence of the door mid-flight were a standard, that would be hilarious 😅

[@CheapBastard1988]

There would be a Service Bulletin once the improvement is finalised.

[@authenticNL2]

​@TheKolian1996 seriously?

[@montanausa329]

Build better so you weren’t building the best you could before?

[@recurse]

Is the plan to tighten all the bolts?

[@heylookarealdinosaur]

Dealing and complying with regulators is a core part of any executive's role, regardless of how asinine the rules may be. That these executives did not simply say "We cannot comment on any ongoing investigation. Boeing is confident in the design and airworthiness of the 737 MAX" is a fireable offence. Honestly, the NTSB should have stopped sharing information with Boeing when they refused to make the employees who worked on the door plug available.

[@gustavlantz]

I might be missing something. But why would you hire a retired Navy admiral as a consultant for quality work on commercial planes? I dont see a correlation? Is that really the best consultant for the job?

[@Andygarrett357]

Maybe he was a navy pilot so knows something about airplanes?

[@christopherwarsh]

Military stuff in general is pretty good about making steps… lots of steps.

[@FlyByWire1]

I believe the one they’re hiring had years of experience in quality control with military planes. The parts and assembly lines are not drastically different between commercial and military aircraft.

[@Gerhardium]

Are they having AIrbus build them?

[@mpetry912]

until they fire the entire mahogany row, claw back bonuses and clean house top to bottom nothing will change. The max has cost BA over 20 Bn not to mention damage to the brand and reputation. Meanwhile Calhoun gets a golden parachute worth 40 million. Looks like Ms Lund is already off to a great start. PS the fines they pay are tax write offs.

[@bp900]

And move the execs back to where production happens

[@todortodorov6056]

".... shared the company's plans to make its Boeing 737 MAX assembly line safer and more focused on quality." That should be doable, perfectly doable. Taking the starting point into account, even if you put a 10 year old to manage quality at Boeing, things will improve [as long as management does not insist that "quantity is our number one priority"].

[@MollyT-zk4ch]

I used to go through the parts that came in make sure they were in good shape and every step of the way we would quality control anything built. I’ve found so many mistakes and pushback from supervisor it was a disaster how they do not want to help make a perfect, assembly.

[@vaidyasethuraman452]

these leaders are good in presentation; they are responsible as a management team for the quality escapes; for them sharpe-rice was the priority. I do not know , but Boeing may have to start with a clean slate of leadership if they have a chance to bounce back.

[@buckshot6481]

So you're saying Boeing plans to, uh, Build back Better ?! Well we know how that works 😂

[@eldardb]

I have 2 thoughts: 1)is Boeing going to allow their employees to speak up about issues? 2) could they finally start learning from their previous mistakes and stop redoing them?

[@Inerturn]

There finally improving!!!

[@jennyjohn704]

Nope. Nothing has changed at Boeing and for the foreseeable future, nothing will.

[@claycassin8437]

Where there?

[@laytenfontana6586]

The one issue that I have with this is, what happens if another accident happens with the 737 max. They need to go back to the drawing board and make some changes to the max designs

[@tt5570]

another PR?

[@TheKobiDror]

Whatever the issue (non conforming plugs from Spirit, non-documentation of removal, lack of job responsibility,...), there's a lot going wrong in this process. Unless it's not fixed, they are not out of the weeds.

[@2chuck]

I always assumed that workers at Boeing, when removing or replacing bolts on an aircraft door, would complete paperwork that shows who did it, what was done and who approved the finished work so as to log a complete chain of custody. I guess I was giving Boeing too much credit. I don't want to go anywhere near an aircraft that does not have a procedure like this. Even Aircraft parts have to have a chain of custody, but not so much for mechanical repairs? I still refuse to fly on any aircraft Boeing has built since the 737-900 ER, I'm going to keep it that way for the foreseeable future.

[@MrKemonie]

Wasn’t it more than one aircraft that had loose bolts? I believe United might have had some also.

[@Thompson123-ih4uh]

That was caused by United's lack of proper maintenance, and Boeing doesn't assemble undercarriages

[@nobodyclose8972]

You want to be safe, a shareholder wants returns, only one can win & Boeing decided a long time ago who that was...

[@CausticLemons7]

Unfortunately in the US shareholders are the only ones company executives are beholden to. Check out Dodge v. Ford Motor Co. to see how public business is required to focus on profits above all else.

[@engineered-mind]

Profits over safety and lives

[@markdwighttadina7655]

It may be too late for Boeing, but It's better to be late than never

[@PaladinMagellan]

It should know how to create planes that know how to fly and land before wanting to create better 737s.

[@cturdo]

So it's Spirit's fault and they only have a paperwork problem? These executives are incompetent in business and legal issues imperative to their survival.

[@MrMaomao3]

"What would you say 'ya do here?"

[@hungo7720]

At the end of the day everything boils down to quality control and safety inspection during the installation processes. Any anomalies should be detected and ironed out before an aircraft is pulled out of a megafactory. As for the blatant contravenation of NTSB rules regarding the 737 max incidents, it is a disgrace for Boeing to reveal and speculate non-publicized details.

[@jakeoht791]

Traveled work isn’t limited to “fixing non conforming items”.

[@sainnt]

Is the NTSB primarily interested in letting the public know exactly what happened, or are they interested in publicly admonishing Boeing? At this point, most of us know what happened, so it's about who to blame now. Boeing is trying to burnish its public image by trying to be as forthcoming as possible. Can't blame them for that.

[@d.b.cooper1]

Talk about digging yourself into a deeper hole

[@bluelithium9808]

Wait, they said this after the MCAS fiasco.

[@Thompson123-ih4uh]

Has there been any new accidents caused by MCAS?

[@bluelithium9808]

@@Thompson123-ih4uh wrong question. Did they fix the safety /quality issues they said they would? Waiting......

[@JoePez]

I mean… at least their trying

[@user-hj3qp7yf3h]

I'm supposing Boeing felt they needed to address the incidents publicly rather than not say anything at all. This was indeed a violation of the ongoing investigation by the NTSB, but I don't feel that it was "flagrant" or "blatant" as I do not believe it will effect the integrity of the overall investigation. But, yes, Boeing does need to be held responsible for prematurely divulging information as per the agreement and law of a company under investigation by the NTSB.

[@michaelarnold2728]

Move HQ back to Seattle.

[@You_are_Right_]

So many airplane experts and company executives here in the comments.

[@tonamg53]

So many below average intelligent people still thinking you need to be an expert to give comment on a particular subject…

[@ilmarilah1195]

Are you 1. Saying this ironically 2. Noting a fact 3. Complaining

[@jonr6680]

You are clearly above all of us, we bow to your omniscience.

[@IhsanIbrahim]

So they admit they did not care the quality at all before? 😂

[@jennyjohn704]

So Boeing are still focusing on dodging the blame rather than curing the problems? Saying it's not their job to find out which of its employees made the mistake shows how little they have changed.

[@ihmcallister]

It's really 2000 airframes too late for this. Muilenberg broke it, Calhoun failed to fix it. Why should we have any faith in Boeing now?

[@WJSpies]

Finally some refreshening honestly from a Boeing exec and the gov (NTSB) balks at it citing secrecy issues. I was glad to hear how simply the mistake was made (door should have been double tagged as inoperable for flight - red tagged - needing further adjustment, before being considered 'air worthy' - and suitable to go into normal flight service; it's how we aircraft mechanics would have done it on an operational aircraft in the USAF) and the airframe thus required extra paperwork and action that was not completed. Simple error simple fix.. Of course the missing paperwork and the name of that Spirit employee commiting such a negligent foul up was long ago flushed down Boeing's magic golden toilet bowl, in Management's exec offices, and the employee promptly fired. In the Aviation paradigm there's a recognized rule.. if you f'ck up and own your mistake, and no one dies or is injured, no disciplinary action is taken, regardless of costs and delays. It's an Aviation-wide (imperative) golden rule that stops fatal flaws dead in their tracks, from the flight line, hangars, assembly shop floors, and from issuance data from the engineering drawing boards. I doubt Boeing honors that working gentleman's agreement, ever since worshipping the stock holder's annual earnings board of review. This if not a catch-all golden rule it's most certainly a silver one, which honors steadfast honestly above all else. In the military if someone drops a wrench inside an aircraft maintenance panel all or most work is stopped until that same exact wrench gets found. It keeps planes safe to fly, and the people responsible, honest about what they ultimately do. Start worrying about bean-counts and dollar delays, guaranteed great delays and greater losses will eventually follow. That woman refreshingly honest and brave enough to inform us of the real problem was doing her job; the NTSB not so f'k'n' much!

[@jantjarks7946]

The company is not supposed to disclose any information, in order to prevent them from trying to rig the information into their own favor in the public. The NTSB will be reporting about an investigation, the moment they understand what was the cause. This has been implemented to ensure that neutral information is released to the public.

[@bp900]

She jumped the gun

[@jonr6680]

I bet that is right, the poor slob who skipped the paperwork didn't want to get called out or worse, BUT with a giant organisation there is bound to be multiple bad apples, so it's HR's job to weed these people out... Reskill them or whatever. Lack of traceability should be an immediate red flag, not to find out weeks or months later.

[@bp900]

@@jonr6680 exactly, also just shows from the top, Boeing just does whatever they want. There's protocol in an investigation

[@Chromegrillz]

Boeing needs to build new 737 from scratch. It will take decade to build first testing plane. Then test it rigorously.

[@eduardodaquiljr9637]

Utilize die casting technology on major parts so no rivets or bolys is employed so alien can no longer cut or loosen it!!!😅

[@chrisallen9303]

The biggest problems with Boeing are MBA's!!! That is the issue.

[@MurphyJungKR]

So it’s still trying to blame it on a single low ranking employee…

[@todortodorov6056]

So criminal. Boeing created a toxic environment allowing or even encouraging employees to take shortcuts and disregard or break rules and procedures, and when things go south, blame the poor employee. The work moral at Boeing must be top.

[@wlento58]

IMO Boeing should stop the 737Max production line & move on to future projects. BUT IT HAS TO BE QUALITY OVER QUANTITY stop trying to compete with Airbus

[@kalpeshwani8520]

Shallow Bowl......🛑🧭

[@Lonelyplanet3]

Outsourcing to airbus might help

[@vaishnav_vfx]

Lund 😂😂😂

[@djjamar]

Gawd damn its pretty messy and ratchet at boeing.

[@louisdebruyn4395]

Make sure the door does not fall off (now wait for the next piece)🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@fredericmarohn-bh4qr]

NOTHING SHOULD SURPRISE ANYONE ITS BOEING,MORE OF THE SAME JUST ON AND ON NEVER ENDS GO AIRBUS ❤ STAY OFF BOEINGS JUNK FLYING COFFINS

[@swz-pq1jt]

I would be very terrified sitting in a Boeing plane

[@mohwybar5832]

You shouldn’t be. There hasn’t been a fatal accident related to the manufacturer in over 5 years

[@MR-th1nf]

@@mohwybar5832 ?

[@merrillkingston8807]

Sounds a little like the NTSB is becoming a little too much of a bureaucracy.

[@bp900]

Boeing created the environment to let them in the door

[@sgeskinner]

I hate to have to defend a Boeing official but everybody in the world knew the bolts were never put back in. It was public knowledge

[@stephenj4937]

The NTSB said as much in their preliminary report. The problem is Boeing publicly stating HOW that was allowed to happen (and assigning blame to specific employees) while being party to the investigation.

[@sgeskinner]

@@stephenj4937 You are right. I don't have to defend a Boeing official

[@jennyjohn704]

That was never the issue here. It was the other stuff that they blabbed about, with no other intention than to shift the blame away from themselves.

[@lartorgames]

This all water and talks it’s same exact situation before Alaska 737 “Boeing Promised”. Without substantial consequences it’s impossible Boeing to fix quicker. Please for love of god Boeing should be criminal charged.

[@Mohammed_Shaz]

third comment.

[@elihernandez330]

better quality boeing? lmfao whatever.

[@benwilson6145]

Waiting for Boeing fan boys comments

[@Hyper_NexusJunisBlue]

Hmm... Airbus Fan Boys Detected

[@benwilson6145]

@@Hyper_NexusJunisBlue No 1 Boeing fan boy, only took 5 minutes.

[@Hyper_NexusJunisBlue]

@@benwilson6145 Excuse me, I also like Airbus

[@Hyper_NexusJunisBlue]

@@dwaynedonnelly Yes. It's ok

[@animegamingdude]

ok airbus fanboy

[@soccerguy2433]

Boeing Can't even build PowerPoint presentations correctly

[@seagullsbtn]

A Freedom of Information request to the NTSB would have revealed the same information as released by Boeing.

[@roncarney9158]

The serial bloviator in charge of the NTSB is problematic and should zip it until all facts are in! That a 737 Max was involved is irrelevant, as the criminal stupidity of one or more employees could have occurred on any Boeing product!

[@delta_cosmic]

Boeing's Plan To Build worse planes in general sounds more fitting.

[@uvp5000]

Ugh, when things go wrong, they really go wrong. I've had rough periods in life, and patterns like this - missteps - have been part of my travails. I do not sympathize with Boeing. The investigative process will continue and yield whatever results it yields. I can simply see a run of difficulty characterized by self-inflicted wounds that I can relate to.