Boeing management fired the head of the 737 MAX series production program – Kommersant

Boeing management has decided to fire Ed Clark, vice president and head of the 737 MAX program. This is reported by Reuters with reference to an internal letter from the head of the commercial aircraft division, Stan Deal, to employees of the corporation.

The agency did not say whether the letter specified reasons for the dismissal, but linked it to a January incident in which an emergency exit hatch on an aircraft of that model fell off during a flight. The US Federal Aviation Administration has since grounded some 737 MAX aircraft while it undergoes an inspection.

The audit revealed a number of problems with the 737 MAX model, concerning not only the emergency exit hatch cover. The situation led to reduction Boeing aircraft deliveries increased by 29% in January.

Ed Clark worked for Boeing for 18 years, starting as a chief mechanic and model engineer for the Boeing 737. In recent years, he oversaw the Renton, Washington, manufacturing complex where the plane involved in the accident was produced.

According to Reuters sources, Boeing’s board of directors decided to fire Ed Clark this week and has already appointed his successor. The 737 MAX program will be led by Katie Ringgold, who will also serve as vice president. A number of other personnel changes are also reported, including strengthening the quality control department.

Kommersant wrote more about the incident with the Boeing 737 MAX in the material “With the Doors Wide Open”.

Alena Miklashevskaya