The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced Friday that it will audit Boeing's manufacturing and production in an effort to bolster oversight after a passenger door plug blew off a 737 Max 9 aircraft last week.
The audit comes one day after the FAA announced an investigation into Boeing and will examine the 737 Max 9's production line and its suppliers "to evaluate Boeing’s compliance with its approved quality procedures." The regulator will use the initial audit to determine if a third-party independent audit is necessary.
Thankfully, no one was harmed during the dramatic incident in which a door panel flew off the side of a Boeing plane, however, there is a clear danger that a similar malfunction could become the norm. Corporate programs that focus on issues like diversity, equity, and inclusion have often been prioritized over safety initiatives. These firms need to re-focus on quality and safety.
There was obviously a problem at some point in Boeing's production and manufacturing of the 737 Max 9 involved in last week’s incident, but the problem is not in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs that are vital to a vibrant workforce. The issue is instead on the private sector pursuing ruthless profits and cutting corners in the production process — more regulation and oversight are needed.