Boeing Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun faced intense scrutiny from US senators during a subcommittee hearing on Tuesday over the company's manufacturing practices and safety culture.
Subcommittee chairman Sen.
Richard Blumenthal revealed that investigators have received disclosures from more than a dozen whistleblowers raising concerns about aircraft production risks.
"We have more than a dozen whistleblowers by this point, and we encourage more to come forward," said Blumenthal, who chairs the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
A staff memo detailed that new whistleblowers continue to step forward with firsthand knowledge of Boeing's operations.
"Since opening the inquiry, the Subcommittee has received outreach from additional whistleblowers in the aviation industry, including individuals with firsthand knowledge of Boeing's operations and policies, who have come forward with new information about additional safety risks stemming from Boeing's manufacturing practices," the memo reads.
Some informants wish to remain anonymous, while others are willing to speak publicly for the first time, according to the document.
Blumenthal noted that staff spoke to more than two dozen whistleblowers overall, citing allegations of severe pressure from supervisors.
He referenced the case of whistleblower John Barnett, who police ruled died by suicide earlier this year.
"I'm going to push you until you break," Blumenthal quoted a supervisor's alleged statement to Barnett, adding, "He broke."
Calhoun Defends Boeing's Record
During cross-examination, Calhoun maintained that the manufacturer penalizes managers who mistreat staff who voice quality concerns.
When asked how many employees were fired for retaliation, Calhoun said, "Senator, I don't have that number on the tip of my tongue."
He stated he would supply the exact figures later but added, "But I know it happens."
Calhoun also clarified that he had not directly spoken to any families of whistleblowers.
Ranking member Sen. Ron Johnson questioned whether such engagement would be beneficial, and Calhoun agreed it would.
Blumenthal criticized Boeing's managerial accountability, suggesting executives shift blame downward.
"In effect, scapegoat workers rather than the management team responsible ultimately for conducting the company," he said.
Blumenthal pointed out that Calhoun failed to provide exact numbers regarding a prior legal settlement penalty, telling him, "You must know the precise number.
You're the CEO of the company."
He stated that structural management changes are necessary to correct the corporate culture.
"I think that you have certainly demonstrated that you can talk about these changes, but making the changes may well require a different team," Blumenthal said.
Republican Sen.
Josh Hawley heavily criticized Calhoun regarding his $32.8 million annual salary and the lack of company profits during his tenure.
"You're the problem," Hawley said, urging the chief executive to step down immediately rather than waiting for his planned retirement.
"And I just hope to God you don't destroy this company before it can be saved," Hawley added.
When questioned about his duties relative to his compensation, Calhoun defended his role: "I get paid to run the Boeing company."
Hawley asked if transparency and safety were included in his duties, then questioned how much he was paid.
Calhoun demurred, saying, "It's a big number."
Hawley cited the 45% pay increase and asked why Calhoun had not resigned.
"Senator, I'm sticking this through. I'm proud of having taking the job.
I'm proud of this safety record, and I'm proud of our Boeing people," Calhoun said.
When Hawley questioned his pride in the safety record, Calhoun affirmed, "I'm proud of every action we have taken."
Hawley pressed: "Every action you've taken?" Calhoun replied, "Yes, sir."
The exchange concluded with Hawley saying, "Wow. There's some news for you."
Earlier in the session, Calhoun stood and turned to face the audience to apologize directly to the families of victims from the 2018 and 2019 Max crashes.
"I apologize to the grief we have caused," Calhoun said, adding, "I want you to know we are totally committed to work focused on safety.
… I'm sorry."
Before the session officially commenced, an audience member shouted, "You should be in jail."
As Calhoun left, Clariss Moore, who lost her daughter Danielle Moore in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash, yelled, "How could you?"
Moore told CNN she wants criminal prosecutions against the executives, questioning if Calhoun's salary was the cost of her daughter's life.
Other lawmakers raised oversight concerns, including Sen. Maria Cantwell, who questioned the aviation experience of regulatory inspectors.
"I'm definitely hearing 'We don't have enough aviation inspectors.' And 'We don't even have enough qualified instructors at schools,'" Cantwell said.
She shared an anecdote about an inspector whose background was entirely outside the aerospace field.
"One story I heard was that they said, 'Yes, I have safety experience. But it's in the dairy industry.'
We need an aviation inspector on the floor who has aviation experience, not just safety experience," Cantwell said.
The hearing also highlighted structural changes made at Boeing since the historical aircraft groundings.
Calhoun defended internal management appointments, saying, "We try to select people who know a lot about airplanes."
The Justice Department continues its independent investigation into whether to criminally prosecute the company.
