Manufacturer Will Be Allowed to Help the FAA Determine Aircraft Airworthiness

The FAA has decided that it is ready to put its trust back in Boeing, restoring the plane maker’s authority to determine aircraft airworthiness years after fatal crashes and production quality concerns led the agency to block the practice. From now on, the duo will alternate weeks issuing certificates for certain 737 MAX and 787 jets.

“Safety drives everything we do, and the FAA will only allow this step forward because we are confident it can be done safely,” the agency’s release said. “The FAA will continue to maintain direct and rigorous oversight of Boeing’s production processes.”

Boeing’s authority to self-certify was revoked for the 737 MAX in 2019 after two concerning accidents. The first, on October 29, 2018, involved a Lion Air 737 MAX 8 carrying 181 passengers and 8 crew members that crashed into the Java Sea. Months later, an Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX 8 crash killed 149 passengers and 8 crew members.

The 787’s situation was significantly less tragic, coming in 2022 amid structural and quality-control concerns that forced extended delivery halts. Since then, every new aircraft required FAA inspectors to issue certificates, rightfully slowing Boeing’s output.

The FAA assures that the return of limited delegation only comes after a detailed review of Boeing’s quality systems and safety culture. The decision ties back to the agency’s Organization Designation Authorization program, which lets companies carry out certain certification tasks on the FAA’s behalf. Boeing’s ODA was renewed for three years in June, laying the groundwork for the partial restoration. Inspectors will continue to observe Boeing’s safety culture as part of the agreement, attempting to prevent future accusations of retaliation against whistleblowers.

While far from fully transferring controls, the co-parenting-like arrangement is a cautious step forward in reforming the regulator-manufacturer relationship.

FMI: www.boeing.com