Seattle, Washington – After a series of incidents involving Boeing aircraft this week, questions arose about the company’s safety record. However, aviation expert Scott Hamilton from Leeham Company suggests that Boeing may not be entirely to blame for these recent in-flight concerns.
Passengers experienced a turbulent week with multiple incidents on Boeing aircraft, including problems during take-offs and landings. These issues have intensified the scrutiny that Boeing is currently under. Despite the negative attention, Hamilton emphasizes that the blame may not lie solely with Boeing for these events.
One notable incident involved a United Airlines flight in Houston, Texas, where the Boeing 737 MAX 8 veered off the runway during landing. Hamilton points out that such runway excursions are typically due to human error or runway/taxiway conditions, rather than aircraft-related issues.
Another incident saw a tire detachment during take-off from a Boeing 777-200 in San Francisco, leading to an emergency landing in Los Angeles. While these instances have raised concerns about Boeing’s safety image, Hamilton suggests that such maintenance issues are not directly Boeing’s fault.
In addressing an engine flare-up on a United flight from Houston to Fort Myers, Florida, Hamilton reiterates that these occurrences are not connected to known problems with Boeing’s 737 Max aircraft. However, they do contribute to ongoing worries about Boeing’s quality control, especially following previous incidents such as the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 door panel blowout earlier this year.
Hamilton, known for his expertise in the aviation industry, highlights the challenges Boeing faces in maintaining its reputation amidst these incidents. With safety and quality control under increased scrutiny, Boeing must work diligently to address concerns and reassure the public about the reliability of its aircraft.