The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has imposed sanctions on Boeing following the aerospace giant’s breach of NTSB investigative protocols. According to the NTSB, Boeing inappropriately shared non-public information with the media regarding the January 5 door-plug incident on a Boeing passenger jet in Portland, Oregon.
During a recent media briefing on improvements at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a company executive disclosed investigative details and conducted an analysis based on factual information already released by the NTSB. These actions directly violate the terms of the party agreement Boeing signed to gain access to the investigation’s sensitive data.
While Boeing will maintain its party status in the investigation, it will now be barred from accessing further investigative information as the NTSB develops the factual record of the incident. In addition, the NTSB plans to subpoena Boeing for an investigative hearing in Washington, DC, scheduled for August 6 and 7. At this hearing, unlike other parties, Boeing will not be permitted to question other participants.
This development comes amid a separate investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) into Boeing’s compliance with a Deferred Prosecution Agreement related to its interactions with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before the fatal incidents involving the Boeing MAX jets. The NTSB stated that it would coordinate with the DOJ Fraud Division over Boeing’s recent unauthorized release of information related to the ongoing 737 MAX 9 door plug investigation.
Following the unauthorized information leak, Boeing submitted a transcript to the NTSB, which revealed that the company had provided the media with details that the NTSB had not yet verified or approved for release. The transcript also showed that Boeing speculated on potential causes of the incident.
The NTSB stressed that its investigation aims to determine the probable cause of the incident, not to assign blame to any individual. This clarification comes as Boeing’s unauthorized disclosures coincided with an NTSB Board meeting in Ohio to discuss a separate case—the probable cause of last year’s railroad derailment and hazardous materials release in East Palestine.
These events reflect ongoing challenges in maintaining the integrity of sensitive aviation safety investigations and highlight the importance of adhering to established protocols to ensure accurate and responsible information sharing.