Boeing Recruits Independent Adviser to Spearhead Quality Review of 737 Max 9 Planes

The Boeing Company appointed Kirkland Donald as a special adviser who will lead a team that will review the quality of aircraft. The team will be involved in a comprehensive assessment of Boeing's commercial quality.

Boeing's Production Under Heavy Scrutiny

The aircraft manufacturer is now paying more attention to the quality of work done on the planes in response to the recent midflight blowout incident involving an Alaska Airlines jet. According to Reuters, Donald is expected to make recommendations to correct quality errors in Boeing's production plants and suppliers.

It was reported that Boeing shares dipped by almost eight percent after many of its airplanes were grounded due to pending inspections. The company's production process has come under strict scrutiny after part of the 737 Max 9 plane of Alaska Airlines tore off while in flight this month. The concerns over the safety of the passengers forced airlines to ground the aircraft for further checking.

Boeing's New Advisor's Background

Admiral Kirkland H. Donald is a retired U.S. Navy, and his appointment as a new adviser at Boeing is effective immediately. He will serve as special advisor of the company's chief.

Donald served as a submarine officer with nuclear training for 37 years, and his last assignment at the Navy was serving as Director, Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program, which he did for eight years. Currently, he is the Chairman of the Board at Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc., the largest military shipbuilding firm in the U.S. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Ocean Engineering degree from the United States Naval Academy.

"Admiral Donald is a recognized leader in ensuring the integrity of some of the most complex and consequential safety and quality systems in the world," Boeing's chief executive officer, Dave Calhoun, said in a press release. "I have asked him to provide an independent and comprehensive assessment with actionable recommendations for strengthening our oversight of quality in our own factories and throughout our extended commercial airplane production system."

The CEO added, "Admiral Donald and his team will have any and all support he needs from me and from across The Boeing Company."

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