This year, Boeing in the United States has frequently encountered safety issues, which has plunged this century old enterprise into a vortex. The acting head of the European aviation regulatory agency stated on Wednesday (March 13) that if necessary, the agency will cease indirect approval of Boeing aircraft production.
What is indirect approval? This is about a transatlantic agreement. According to the agreement, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulate the factories of their respective aircraft manufacturers, namely Boeing and Airbus, and mutually recognize each other's safety certifications.
Of course, there are exceptions to this agreement. If one party loses confidence in the compliance inspection of the other party, both parties can request consultation. If consultation fails, the recognition of the other party's security certification will be suspended for 30 days. However, such measures are rare.
Based on this agreement, Luc Tytgat, the executive director of the European Union's EASA, was asked if EASA is preparing to stop recognizing production safety certifications in the United States, claiming that "Boeing aircraft are produced safely." He stated, "If necessary, that's it.".
Tytgat also publicly stated for the first time in an interview that international cooperation supporting global aircraft production is being tested by ongoing crises, which is rare.
Tytgat pointed out that "once we see reasons or situations that require us to take appropriate measures, all measures must be implemented immediately." However, he also added that such actions should not be taken in the near future.
Last Friday (March 8th), Tytgat discussed with Boeing executives and said, "I see a change in management. They attach great importance to quality control and product quality, and I am very confident in the willingness of senior management to change."
Tytgat's own view is that if more fatal accidents occur in the future, it will prompt EASA to overturn FAA's safety permit for Boeing.
Boeing's "troubled autumn"
Since January this year, Boeing has been facing increasing pressure in factory quality control. At that time, the cabin door of a brand new 737 Max 9 aircraft operated by Alaska Airlines fell off in mid air, but fortunately no casualties occurred. After investigation, it was found that the accident was attributed to the lack of bolts.
After the accident, the FAA completely suspended the flight of the 737 Max 9 passenger aircraft, and further stated that it will not agree to Boeing's request to expand the production of the 737 MAX model or approve the addition of the 737 MAX production line until quality control issues are properly resolved.
The US FAA announced last week that an audit of Boeing and its supplier Spirit AeroSystems identified multiple instances of poor quality control, and stated that Boeing has 90 days to develop a plan to address the issues identified during the audit.
After the Max 9 aircraft hatch detachment incident, the European Union EASA's influence on Boeing aircraft design has increased. However, apart from the radical decision to suspend FAA safety certification, it has little way to strengthen monitoring of existing Boeing aircraft production.
Regarding the latest statement from the European Union's EASA, a spokesperson for the US FAA reiterated the agency's earlier statement that Boeing must be committed to "real and profound improvements.".
Federal Aviation Administration Director Mike Whitaker stated on Monday (March 11) that if there is reason to stop Boeing's production, the agency will take action.
Experts suggest that if either of the world's two most powerful aviation regulatory agencies decides to overturn production licenses for Boeing or Airbus aircraft, it will bring a safety crisis into unknown territory and may trigger a political response.