Boeing Under Scrutiny as U.S. Officials Visit 737 MAX Factory Amid Safety Concerns

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy will visit Boeing’s (NYSE: BA) Renton, Washington, factory on Thursday, joined by acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. The visit follows heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s safety protocols, six years after the fatal Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash and months after a mid-air panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX.

Duffy and Rocheleau will meet Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg, who is set to testify before the Senate Commerce Committee on April 2 regarding Boeing’s safety culture and quality control. They will also tour the 737 production facility and speak with FAA inspectors.

Boeing has faced increased regulatory pressure, with the FAA imposing a cap on MAX production at 38 planes per month after the January 2024 incident. Former FAA chief Mike Whitaker admitted past oversight was “too hands-off” and warned that fixing Boeing’s safety culture could take five years. The FAA also launched an audit in October and increased inspections at the factory.

Duffy’s visit coincides with the sixth anniversary of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crash, which killed 157 people. "My door and this department are always open to families of the victims," he said on X.

The Biden administration had previously extended Boeing’s certification delegation program for only three years instead of the requested five, with the approval set to expire in two months. The Trump administration has vowed to maintain strict oversight, emphasizing the need for accountability.

Boeing has not commented on the visit.