Boeing announces Ed Clark, the head of its 737 MAX program, is stepping down after a safety incident
Boeing’s head of 737 MAX program Ed Clark is stepping down after safety incident led to the temporary grounding of 171 aircraft
Boeing announced on Wednesday that Ed Clark, the head of its embattled 737 MAX program, is stepping down, a move that comes less than two months after a safety incident led to the temporary grounding of 171 of its aircraft.
Boeing veteran of 18 years, Clark is leaving his post, with Katie Ringgold named as his successor, according to a memo from Boeing Commercial Aviation (BCA) chief Stan Deal, which was released by the company.
This leadership change occurs in the wake of a troubling incident on January 5, when a Boeing 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a mid-flight blowout of an air panel on the fuselage, forcing an emergency landing. The aircraft was left with a significant hole in its cabin, though, fortunately, there were no serious injuries reported. Safety inspectors have since highlighted the potential for a catastrophic outcome.
Clark, who took on the leadership role in March 2021 amid the MAX program’s recovery from a 20-month grounding following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019, departs with the company’s gratitude for his nearly two decades of service. “Ed departs with my, and our, deepest gratitude for his many significant contributions,” Deal’s memo stated.
Katie Ringgold steps into her new role with a critical mandate to oversee the Renton factory in Washington, where the MAX is assembled. This factory, and Boeing itself, has come under increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Capitol Hill lawmakers, with hearings planned to discuss the recent safety incident.
A preliminary investigation into the January incident by the National Transportation Safety Board revealed on February 6 that four bolts securing the panel were missing, with the investigation still underway. The FAA is also conducting a six-week safety audit of Boeing, part of a broader effort to evaluate the company’s safety culture, with findings expected to be released soon.
In response to the incident, Boeing has taken steps to enhance safety and quality control procedures, including operational pauses at Renton and other sites to bolster inspections of new planes before delivery. Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun has publicly taken responsibility for the incident, promising transparency moving forward.
In tandem with Ringgold’s appointment, Boeing has announced several other key leadership changes, including the appointment of Elizabeth Lund as senior vice president for quality in the commercial division, Mike Flemming as general manager for airplane programs, and Don Ruhmann as vice president of development programs. These appointments underscore BCA’s commitment to upholding the highest quality and safety standards, as emphasized by Deal in his memo.
Amid these leadership transitions, aeronautics specialist Michel Merluzeau of consulting firm AIR noted the company’s challenge of replacing skilled personnel lost during the pandemic. “They’ve lost a lot of people,” Merluzeau commented, stressing the importance of nurturing the next level of leadership within Boeing.
Source: AFP
