Ethics in Aviation - The Boeing 737 MAX Whistleblower Allegations
A recent and widely discussed ethical issue in the aviation industry involves new whistleblower allegations against Boeing related to safety concerns with the 737 MAX aircraft. In early 2024, Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour came forward stating that the company had taken shortcuts during production that could compromise aircraft safety, including issues with fuselage assembly and quality assurance procedures. This follows the earlier tragic crashes of two 737 MAX aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which had already raised major ethical concerns about Boeing’s prioritization of profit over safety (Slotnick, 2024). I chose this event because it directly challenges the core ethical responsibility of all aviation professionals: ensuring public safety above all else. As someone studying aviation, I found it troubling yet eye-opening to see how internal concerns may be overlooked until they reach the public eye, often through brave individuals willing to speak up. This situation underscores the importance of a strong ethical culture and transparency within organizations. What stood out to me most is the pressure whistleblowers face and the potential retaliation they might endure, despite acting in the public's best interest. Ethical conduct in aviation should be about following rules and creating an environment where raising safety concerns is respected and protected. If companies truly embraced ethics, whistleblowers would-be heroes, not liabilities.
REFERENCE
Slotnick, D. (2024, March 6). Boeing engineer says plane could break apart midair because of production shortcuts in whistleblower complaint. Business Insider. https://www.businessinsider.com/boeing-737-max-whistleblower-allegations-safety-concerns-2024-3
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