Statement from Boeing:
Mr. Pierson describes concerns he raised with Boeing management about conditions on
the 737 production line in 2018. Boeing is deeply committed to encouraging its
employees to raise issues—particularly those that might involve safety or quality—and
provides several internal avenues for employees to do so.
The circumstances described by Mr. Pierson illustrate the seriousness of Boeing’s
commitment to assessing such concerns. As Mr. Pierson recounts, in mid-2018 he was
able to raise his concerns directly with the head of the 737 program, who subsequently
communicated with Mr. Pierson, including in an in-person meeting. Although Mr.
Pierson did not provide specific information or detail about any particular defect or
quality issue, Boeing took his concerns about 737 production disruption seriously. After
Mr. Pierson retired and raised this issue again in late 2018 and 2019, those concerns
received renewed scrutiny at the highest levels of the company, and were reviewed by
multiple senior executives responsible for the 737 program, including the head of the 737
program and the head of quality for BCA. On both occasions, company executives and
senior leaders on the 737 program were made aware of Mr. Pierson’s concerns, discussed
them in detail, and took appropriate steps to assess them.
As was explained to Mr. Pierson at the time, Boeing senior leadership was aware of
production challenges with the 737 line in 2018, and devoted significant attention and
resources to addressing those issues and maintaining production quality. Boeing closely
monitors production quality data, as well as other data related to the overall health of the
production system, including, and especially, during periods of disruption. Moreover, all
Boeing aircraft are subject to rigorous inspection before they are certified, delivered, and
enter into service. Boeing also has access to data concerning the in-service performance
and reliability of the 737 fleet, and reviews such data continuously to identify potential
emergent issues.
Importantly, the suggestion by Mr. Pierson of a link between his concerns and the recent
MAX accidents is completely unfounded. Mr. Pierson raises issues about the production
of the 737 MAX, yet none of the authorities investigating these accidents have found that
production conditions in the 737 factory contributed in any way to these accidents. And
the suggestion of such a linkage is inconsistent with the facts that have been reported
about these accidents. We are confident that the NTSB and other accident investigative
authorities and regulators are adequately assessing all potential causes of these accidents
over the course of their rigorous, extensive, and independent reviews.
Mr. Pierson did the right thing by elevating his concerns, and the fact that he was able to
personally brief the head of the program and the company’s General Counsel demonstrates
Boeing’s commitment to safety and to hearing employee concerns.