CNN
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Boeing has not turned over vital data to investigators probing the door plug blowout on a 737 Max earlier this yr, investigators say.
“Boeing has not supplied us with the paperwork and data that we now have requested quite a few instances over the previous few months, particularly with respect to opening, closing and removing of the door and the crew that does that work on the Renton facility,” Nationwide Transportation Security Board chairwoman Jennifer Homendy stated Wednesday in testimony earlier than the US Senate Commerce Committtee.
She testified that due to Boeing’s actions, NTSB investigators have no idea who on the Boeing meeting line eliminated and reinstalled the door plug that – months later whereas the aircraft was in service carrying passengers – blew out.
NTSB investigators consider Boeing staff eliminated vital bolts that maintain the plug in place, however didn’t reinstall the bolts earlier than the aircraft left the Boeing manufacturing facility in October 2023. The aircraft flew about 150 industrial flights earlier than the door plug flew off the aircraft mid-flight on January 5, simply over two months in the past.
NTSB investigators have made a number of visits to Boeing services and created a particular crew to deal with requesting and processing paperwork from Boeing and its key contractor, Spirit AeroSystems.
“There may be one crew – one crew – that offers with the doorways,” Homendy stated. The crew consists of 25 staff and a supervisor, and she or he referred to as it “absurd” that the checklist of names has not been supplied: “Why we don’t have these names at present two months later is basically disappointing.”
Homendy stated Boeing has not supplied the names and has informed the NTSB it can not discover documentation concerning the removing and reinstallation of the door plug.
Boeing didn’t instantly remark when contacted by CNN.
She additionally raised considerations with Spirit’s method to the probe, saying three people Spirit introduced to the NTSB for interviews really didn’t work for the corporate, and as a substitute labored for a subcontractor. Spirit has not instantly commented on Homendy’s feedback.
Homendy stated the Federal Aviation Administration has been “very cooperative” with the NTSB probe.