Boeing Removes Head of Its 737 Max Program After January's 'Door Bolts' Incident

On Wednesday Boeing 'removed executive Ed Clark, the head of its 737 Max passenger jet program,' reports CNN, 'after a dramatic — and terrifying — midair blowout in January underscored ongoing problems with the jet.'

A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board found that the four bolts that should have held the door plug in place were missing when the plane left Boeing's factory. The NTSB report did not assess blame for the missing bolts and the accident but in a statement to investors before the findings were released, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun assumed responsibility for the incident. 'We caused the problem, and we understand that,' he told investors during a call after reporting the latest quarterly loss at the company. 'Whatever conclusions are reached, Boeing is accountable for what happened.'

Clark, who had been at Boeing for 18 years, had only been in charge of the Max program since March of 2021, assuming that title after the jets had been returned to service following the crashes. But he had previously held roles related to the 737 Max, including as chief engineer and chief 737 mechanic.

With the news of Clark's departure, Boeing also announced a shuffling of a number of executives in its Boeing Commercial Airplanes unit. It created a new executive position, Senior Vice President for BCA Quality, and named Elizabeth Lund to that position.

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