FAA must address concerns before extending Boeing regulatory program, senator says

Democratic Senator Maria Cantwell on Tuesday urged the Federal Aviation Administration to address critical concerns before deciding whether to extend a program that allows Boeing to perform FAA-delegated tasks like inspections and approving repairs. The FAA in May 2022 opted to renew Boeing's Organization Designation Authorization program -- known as ODA -- for three years, rather than the standard five years, to ensure the planemaker implemented "required improvements." Boeing's quality and safety efforts have faced harsh criticism since a January 2024 mid-air emergency involving a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 missing four key bolts. Cantwell told Reuters that the deadline for renewal was important for the FAA. "They have a great opportunity to basically build a kind of collaboration and focus on safety," Cantwell said. The FAA said it would respond directly to Cantwell. Boeing did not immediately comment. CEO Kelly Ortberg is set to testify on Wednesday before Congress. Then FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker in February 2024 ordered Boeing to implement a safety and quality improvement plan and acknowledged prior oversight "was too hands off." Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said last month Boeing needs strict oversight. After the incident, the FAA took the unprecedented step of imposing a production cap of 38 planes per month on the 737 MAX. The FAA said in 2022 one requirement before a new extension was that ODA employees can "act without interference by company officials." Congress passed sweeping reforms in December 2020 on how the FAA certifies new airplanes after two fatal 737 MAX crashes killed 346 people and led to the plane's 20-month grounding.<br/>