Head of Boeing’s 737 MAX program departs after safety incident

22-2-2024 (NEW YORK) Boeing has announced the departure of Ed Clark, the head of its 737 MAX program, less than two months after a significant safety incident resulted in the temporary grounding of 171 planes. The announcement was made by Boeing Commercial Aviation (BCA) chief Stan Deal in a company memo, citing that Clark, an 18-year Boeing veteran, is “leaving the program.” Katie Ringgold has been named as his replacement.

The decision follows an incident on January 5, in which a 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines experienced a mid-flight blowout of an air panel on the fuselage, leading to an emergency landing with a substantial hole in the cabin. While there were no serious injuries, safety inspectors emphasized the potentially catastrophic nature of the incident.

The memo expressed gratitude for Clark’s significant contributions during his nearly 18 years of dedicated service to Boeing. Clark assumed the role in March 2021, shortly after a 20-month grounding of the MAX program following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

In her new position, Ringgold will oversee the management of the Renton factory, where the MAX is assembled, located in the western US state of Washington. The leadership change reflects Boeing’s ongoing efforts to address safety concerns and enhance the management of its 737 MAX program.