Boeing CEO Apologizes to Plane Crash Victims' Families, Addresses Safety Concerns at Senate Hearing: Whistleblowers Allege Retaliation and Hidden Parts

Seattle, Washington, Washington United States of America
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun apologized to families of plane crash victims at a Senate hearing
Senators grilled Calhoun on safety concerns, retaliation against whistleblowers, and missing parts in Boeing planes
Whistleblower John Barnett took his own life after raising quality concerns before the hearing
Boeing CEO Apologizes to Plane Crash Victims' Families, Addresses Safety Concerns at Senate Hearing: Whistleblowers Allege Retaliation and Hidden Parts

Boeing CEO Apologies to Families of Plane Crash Victims and Addresses Safety Concerns at Senate Hearing

Outgoing Boeing chief Dave Calhoun faced intense scrutiny from senators during a recent hearing regarding the company's safety, transparency, and quality standards. Calhoun acknowledged that the company had retaliated against employees who raised safety concerns.

Calhoun began his testimony by turning to face the families of victims of previous Boeing plane crashes, including those involving the 737 Max model. He apologized for the grief caused and emphasized Boeing's commitment to safety.

Several whistleblowers testified about retaliatory measures taken against them for speaking out or raising concerns. One former employee, John Barnett, took his own life after raising quality concerns. His family was present at the hearing.

Calhoun also addressed the issue of missing parts in Boeing planes and denied any wrongdoing. A new whistleblower claimed that Boeing had defective parts going into 737s, which federal officials are currently investigating.

Senators grilled Calhoun on these issues, with some accusing the company of prioritizing profits over safety and failing to protect whistleblowers. Calhoun denied these allegations and emphasized Boeing's focus on safety.

Calhoun testified before Congress after a door on a 737 MAX 9 blew off during a flight from Oregon to California. Since then, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has failed several audits conducted at Boeing facilities. Another whistleblower, Sam Mohawk, came forward and alleged that Boeing had hidden parts of a Boeing 737 from FAA inspectors during an inspection.

Calhoun responded to these allegations by denying retaliation against employees who reported safety concerns and expressing pride in the company's actions and safety record. However, he did not address the specific allegations regarding hidden parts or evidence tampering.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if Calhoun directly addressed all allegations of retaliation against whistleblowers
  • The article does not provide specific details about the missing parts or how they were hidden from FAA inspectors

Sources

97%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Boeing CEO apologizes to families of plane crash victims before Senate grilling

ABC NEWS SITE NAMES Name: ABC News Site Names URL: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/us-officially-blames-iran_106834435 ABC News Wednesday, 19 June 2024 01:09
  • Unique Points
    • >Boeing CEO David Calhoun apologized to families of victims of previous plane crashes involving Boeingδs planes, including the 737 Max, before Senate hearing<
    • >Whistleblowers testified that Boeing retaliated against employees speaking out or raising concerns<
    • >Former employee John Barnett took his own life after raising quality concerns, family in attendance<
  • Accuracy
    • Boeing CEO David Calhoun apologized to families of victims of previous plane crashes involving Boeing’s planes, including the 737 Max, before Senate hearing
    • CEO Calhoun reassured senators he was turning company around, focusing on safety
    • Whistleblowers testified that Boeing retaliated against employees speaking out or raising concerns
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

98%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

‘I know it happens’: Boeing chief admits the company has retaliated against whistleblowers

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Chris Isidore,Aditi Tuesday, 18 June 2024 16:31
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing is under scrutiny from regulators for safety missteps including a door plug that blew off an Alaska Airlines flight shortly after takeoff in January.
    • Outgoing Boeing chief Dave Calhoun acknowledged that the company had retaliated against employees who raised safety concerns.
    • Additional information about safety risks stemming from Boeing’s manufacturing practices was received by the Subcommittee from whistleblowers in the aviation industry.
  • Accuracy
    • Boeing conducted companywide feedback sessions with employees after the Alaska Airlines incident and made changes to its incentives structure.
    • Whistleblowers have reported retaliatory measures, including reassignment, exclusion from key meetings, verbal assault, and physical threats.
    • John Barnett, a Boeing manager and whistleblower who died by suicide in March, received numerous phone calls from his supervisor after raising concerns about missing parts.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication

91%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admits 'something went wrong' after a worker who flagged a safety issue got 40 manager calls in a two days

Fortune Media Inc. Seamus Webster Tuesday, 18 June 2024 00:00
  • Unique Points
    • Boeing conducted companywide feedback sessions with employees after the Alaska Airlines incident and made changes to its incentives structure.
    • >Whistleblowers have reported retaliatory measures, including reassignment, exclusion from key meetings, verbal assault, and physical threats.<
    • >John Barnett, a Boeing manager and whistleblower who died by suicide in March, received numerous phone calls from his supervisor after raising concerns about missing parts.<
  • Accuracy
    • Calhoun denied accusations that Boeing retaliates against employees who bring up safety concerns.
    • Whistleblowers have reported retaliatory measures, including reassignment, exclusion from key meetings, verbal assault, and physical threats.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The author admits to some mistakes and safety issues within Boeing but denies widespread accusations of retaliation against employees who raise safety concerns. There is an appeal to the sincerity of whistleblowers' remarks, and inflammatory rhetoric from senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal. However, no formal fallacies are present in the author's statements.
    • ] Embattled Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun spent two hours Tuesday trying to persuade largely skeptical senators that the beleaguered aircraft maker had committed to safety since a pair of deadly crashes six years ago.
    • Calhoun, testifying for the first and possibly last time, denied widespread accusations that Boeing retaliates against employees who bring up safety concerns.
    • Josh Hawley, Republican senator from Missouri, accused Calhoun of 'strip mining' saying the chief executive had deliberately chosen to maximize profits and share price at the expense of safety.
  • Bias (95%)
    The author, Seamus Webster, presents a balanced account of the hearing and allows both sides to speak. However, there are instances where the author seems to imply that Boeing is at fault for safety issues and retaliating against whistleblowers. For example, he states that 'a dozen whistleblowers had reported a host of retaliatory measures to the subcommittee' and 'Boeing manager and whistleblower John Barnett, who died in March of an apparent suicide, received 21 phone calls from his supervisor in a single day, and 19 on another day'. These statements could be perceived as biased against Boeing. Additionally, the author quotes Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal stating that 'Boeing manager and whistleblower John Barnett...received 21 phone calls from his supervisor in a single day, and 19 on another day' and 'Calhoun listened to the whistleblowers who appeared at your hearing. Something went wrong, and I believe the sincerity of their remarks.' These statements could also be perceived as biased against Boeing. Therefore, while there is no overt bias in the article, there are instances where the author's language could be perceived as biased against Boeing.
    • a dozen whistleblowers had reported a host of retaliatory measures to the subcommittee
      • Calhoun listened to the whistleblowers who appeared at your hearing. Something went wrong, and I believe the sincerity of their remarks.
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      92%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Boeing CEO apologies to relatives of 737 Max crash victims

      Voice of America VOA News Wednesday, 19 June 2024 00:05
      • Unique Points
        • CEO Calhoun took responsibility for Boeing-developed software system linked to both flights
        • Calhoun testified before Congress after a door on a 737 MAX 9 blew off during a flight from Oregon to California
      • Accuracy
        • Boeing CEO took responsibility for Boeing-developed software system linked to both flights
        • CEO Calhoun reassured senators he was turning company around, focusing on safety
        • Whistleblower Sam Mohawk alleged Boeing hid parts of a Boeing 737 from the FAA during an inspection
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains an appeal to authority and a potential dichotomous depiction. The author reports on the apology made by Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun without critically analyzing or questioning the sincerity of the apology. This represents an appeal to authority. Additionally, there is a potential dichotomous depiction in the phrase 'I’m proud of our safety record, and I am very proud of our Boeing people,' which suggests that either they have a good safety record or they are very proud of their people, implying that these two aspects are mutually exclusive. The article also mentions a whistleblower who accused Boeing of hiding parts of a Boeing 737 from the FAA during an inspection, but does not provide any counter-argument or analysis. This could be seen as an inflammatory rhetoric, however, it is not directly attributable to the author. The lack of critical analysis and potential fallacies identified lead to a score of 85.
        • Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun apologized Tuesday to relatives of the victims of two 737 Max crashes during a hearing...
        • Calhoun said that Boeing took responsibility for the Boeing-developed key software system linked to both flights.
        • I’m proud of our safety record, and I am very proud of our Boeing people,” he said. “I am proud of every action we have taken.”
        • Prosecutors are reported to have until July 7 to approach a federal judge with what they intend to do.
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      79%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Boeing CEO defends his safety record, spars with senators and apologizes to crash victims' relatives

      The Associated Press News Tuesday, 18 June 2024 04:18
      • Unique Points
        • Boeing CEO David Calhoun defended the company’s safety record during a contentious Senate hearing.
        • A new whistleblower accused Boeing of having defective parts going into 737s, which federal officials are investigating.
        • Calhoun responded that he was proud of the company’s actions and safety record, and denied retaliating against employees who reported safety concerns.
        • The latest whistleblower claimed Boeing hid evidence after the FAA planned to inspect the plant in June 2023.
      • Accuracy
        • Boeing CEO David Calhoun apologized to families of victims of previous plane crashes involving Boeing’s planes, including the 737 Max, before Senate hearing
        • Calhoun faced families and said ‘I apologize for the grief we have caused’, ‘We are focused on safety’
        • CEO Calhoun reassured senators he was turning company around, focusing on safety
      • Deception (50%)
        The article contains editorializing and pontification from Senators Josh Hawley and Richard Blumenthal. They accuse Boeing CEO David Calhoun of placing profits over safety, failing to protect whistleblowers, and even getting paid too much. These are opinions and not facts. The article also uses emotional manipulation by describing the presence of relatives of people who died in Boeing crashes holding photos of their loved ones during the hearing.
        • Senators pressed Calhoun about accusations that Boeing managers retaliated against employees who reported safety concerns.
        • Approximately 80% of the parts were moved to avoid the watchful eyes of the FAA inspectors.
        • Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., placed the blame squarely on Calhoun, saying that the man who became CEO in January 2020 had been too focused on the bottom line.
      • Fallacies (80%)
        The author makes an appeal to authority by quoting Senators and a whistleblower's accusations against Boeing. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric by describing the tone of the hearing as 'a moment of reckoning' and Sen. Josh Hawley's comments as 'placing the blame squarely on Calhoun', 'strip-mining Boeing', and accusing him of getting paid too much. No formal fallacies or dichotomous depictions were found.
        • This hearing is a moment of reckoning.
        • It's about a company, a once iconic company, that somehow lost its way.
        • You are cutting corners, you are eliminating safety procedures, you are sticking it to your employees, you are cutting back jobs because you are trying to squeeze very piece of profit you can out of this company.
        • You're proud of the safety record?
        • Approximately 80% of the parts were moved to avoid the watchful eyes of the FAA inspectors.
        • The number of unacceptable parts has exploded since production of the Max resumed following the crashes.
      • Bias (80%)
        The author does not demonstrate any overt bias in the article. However, there are several instances where the senators express their opinions and accusations towards Boeing and its CEO David Calhoun. These statements are presented as facts without any counterargument or context from the author. This could potentially skew the perception of readers towards a negative view of Boeing and Calhoun.
        • Hawley repeatedly mentioned Calhoun’s compensation for last year, valued at $32.8 million, and asked the CEO why he hadn’t resigned.
          • Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., placed the blame squarely on Calhoun, saying that the man who became CEO in January 2020 had been too focused on the bottom line.
          • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication
          • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
            None Found At Time Of Publication