When an outfit that prides itself on being a global, high-flying regulatory trailblazer suddenly finds itself losing altitude and credibility, there’s only one thing it can do.
Subject itself to the global review of its peers, however painful that may prove. That’s what the Federal Aviation Authority, FAA, is doing by convening a week long summit of civil aviation regulators from across the world.
Delegates from eight nations and the EU will gather in Seattle to examine the FAA’s initial certification of the Boeing Max 737 as safe to fly.
That’s the plane whose automated flight control system is linked to two crashes that killed 346 people. The FAA allowed the Max 737 to continue flying long after its grounding by other countries worldwide – opening itself up to withering scrutiny about potential collusion regarding the Max’s controversial anti-stall countermeasure.
As one Biznews reader observes, strange how similar Boeing’s reaction is to that of South Africa’s Tiger Brands whose processed meat products allegedly led to over 200 listeriosis deaths. Both face major class actions and are reluctant to settle out of court.
Neither are exactly models of human compassion. When it comes to financial bottom lines, it seems large corporates can easily lose objectivity and context. – Chris Bateman
by Chris Bateman
Source: biznews.com
