No, Boeing’s problems haven’t actually increased this year, NTSB data shows

The number of accidents and incidents involving Boeing commercial aircraft during at least the first 55 days of this year is about the same as in 2023, according to federal data.

According to the latest data available from the National Transportation Safety Board’s Case Analysis and Reporting Online Tool (CAROL), as of February 24, there have been 19 incidents, accidents, and incidents involving Boeing aircraft around the world. . For comparison, the NTSB recorded 23 similar events during the same 55-day period last year.

Events in the U.S. so far this year include an airborne door plug scare involving a Boeing 737 Max 9 plane over Oregon on January 5th, an engine fire in Miami on January 18th, and an engine fire in February. On the 6th, there was a case of a stuck rudder pedal in New Jersey. .

The 2023 cases include two runway incursions (in which unsuitable aircraft were on the runway) in Texas and Honolulu on January 23 and February 4. On February 10th, turbulence caused injuries in Chicago. And on February 16th, there was a near collision in Florida.

These incidents include more recent events such as a plane running off the runway in Houston on March 8, a tire falling off during a flight in San Francisco on March 7, and an engine fire in Houston on March 4. is not included, but it suggests that: Such incidents are not increasing. Experts say there’s no reason to panic.

“Public awareness is always important, but because of the start of this year, I think everyone has become very sensitive, if I may use this word,” he said. said aviation expert Anthony Brickhouse, professor and director of forensic medicine. Laboratory at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida.

“There was a Japan Airlines runway crash in Tokyo,” he said, referring to a non-Boeing crash that killed five Japan Coast Guard employees on January 2. “And later that week, the door plug was finished.”

“Obviously, when people read or listen to the news and hear about these safety incidents, it gives them a reason to pause, but we need to trust our fellow regulators and investigators. I think so,” he said. “Despite recent events, I have no problem getting on a flight this afternoon, but I understand how the public might think without knowing what I know.”

Captain Richard Levy, a retired flight instructor after 41 years as a commercial airline pilot, also dismissed recent incidents in the news as “not at all alarming.”

“Because of the Alaska Airlines situation with the doors closed, all eyes are on Boeing,” he said. “Was there a problem with the bolts on this particular aircraft? Yes, there was…We’re not blacklisting Boeing as a bad plane.”

The door plug on the Alaska flight is believed to have blown off after a worker failed to reinstall the bolt during repair work late last year, according to a recent preliminary report by the NTSB.

Other figures likewise ensure that overall aviation safety has improved significantly in recent years, with aircraft crashes commonly resulting in accidents resulting in death, serious injury, or significant damage. Masu.

Last year, there were just six fatal commercial aviation accidents around the world, with a total of 115 people killed. According to aviation industry publication Flight Global, this is the lowest number on record.

According to the NTSB, there were 18 nonfatal crashes and one fatal crash in the U.S. in 2022, but the agency has not yet released annual data for 2023. One fatal crash involved a runway worker and an Embraer E175 in Alabama.

In 2021, there were 23 non-fatal accidents. In 2020, there were 12 non-fatal accidents.

Both Levy and Brickhouse encouraged the public to ensure that airlines are better trained and prepared to respond to situations as they arise. They pointed out that while everything in life involves some degree of risk, flying is still considered one of the safest forms of transportation.

“We’re training from the minors to the majors in case something unusual happens,” Levy said. “Pilots are well trained to deal with it, so no one should think or hesitate, and never will.”

“Airlines are constantly upgrading their fleets, getting rid of older aircraft and bringing in new ones,” Brickhouse said. “All airlines have very thorough maintenance practices. Just like our passenger cars, after a certain number of miles you have to change the oil.”

Mr. Levy also encouraged passengers to do their part by paying attention to safety precautions at the start of the flight, and stressed that they should wear their seat belts when instructed to do so. A passenger who claims his shoes and socks were sucked off his feet when a door plug blew out on a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines flight credits his seatbelts with saving his life in a lawsuit filed Thursday. Ta.

“Safety is a continuous activity. It’s not something that can be completely achieved. It’s a constant struggle,” Brickhouse said.

Meanwhile, Boeing is facing a two-day investigative hearing with the NTSB in August over the door plug incident and a reported Justice Department criminal investigation.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said an audit found “multiple instances” of “suspected non-compliance with manufacturing quality controls” by Boeing and Spirit Aerosystems, which manufactures the Boeing 737 Max aircraft. The government gave airlines 90 days to submit action plans. requirements. ”

Boeing has vowed to be transparent about the NTSB investigation while adding additional inspections to its 737 manufacturing process to ensure the jetliner’s safety.