Boeing Has Been Prioritizing Production Over Safety, FAA Chief Says

The FAA chief has recommended that Boeing shift its focus to safety and quality.

Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker testifies before the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington on Feb. 6, 2024. Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) chief Michael Whitaker said on March 19 that his impression from a recent visit to Boeing’s facilities suggests that there are issues within the aerospace giant’s safety culture.

During an interview with NBC Nightly News, Mr. Whitaker said the FAA’s audit and a culture survey of Boeing revealed that the aircraft maker’s “priorities have been on production, and not on safety and quality.”