In a recent interview, Boeing's Chief Executive, Dave Calhoun, acknowledged a "quality escape" that led to a mid-flight blowout on an Alaska Airlines aircraft. The incident occurred on January 5th, shortly after the plane took off from an airport in Portland, Oregon, bound for California. The blowout resulted in a window and a chunk of fuselage being blown out of the aircraft, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ground all 171 Boeing 737 MAX 9 planes operated by US airlines.

Calhoun stated that a "quality escape" refers to any issue that could potentially contribute to an accident. He emphasized that Boeing takes this incident seriously and is committed to ensuring it never happens again. He mentioned ongoing discussions with United Airlines, one of the world's largest carriers, which had also identified problems with doors on its 737 Max 9 aircraft. Both United and Alaska Airlines expressed their concerns to Boeing, describing the issue as "serious, serious."

When questioned about the cause of the lapse in safety checks, Calhoun mentioned ongoing inspections and investigations to determine what went wrong. He emphasized that the airline, the FAA, and US Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg have all been involved in discussions to address the situation and prevent future incidents. Calhoun assured the public that none of the planes will fly in an "unsafe condition" and that Boeing is committed to doing the necessary work to maintain quality systems and ensure passenger safety.

The latest allegations of poor production quality pose a significant challenge for Boeing, as they may be harder to shake off than previous issues. The company now faces a crucial 48-hour period as it works to address the concerns raised by United and Alaska Airlines. Calhoun acknowledged the severity of the situation, stating that it is a safety incident that cannot be ignored.

As the investigation continues, Boeing is determined to regain the trust of airlines and passengers alike. The company is focused on identifying the breakdown in its inspections and original work that allowed for the "quality escape" to occur. Calhoun reiterated his commitment to preventing such incidents in the future, assuring the public that Boeing will take the necessary actions to ensure the safety of its aircraft.