Boeing says it is still “unable” to find various records related to the door plug that failed on Alaska flight 1282. According to a new letter penned by NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy, investigators have yet to receive key records associated with “the work to open, reinstall, and close the door plug.”
During a Senate hearing last week, Homendy called Boeing’s recent stonewalling “absurd,” telling the committee that the agency is prepared to use its power to subpoena if needed. Homendy was asked to provide an update on whether the manufacturing giant provided the requested records.
“To date, we still do not know who performed the work to open, reinstall, and close the door plug on the accident aircraft. Boeing has informed us that they are unable to find the records documenting this work,” Homendy said in her letter. The NTSB initially requested a list of all employees who reported to the company’s door crew manager.
Homendy said the agency did receive a list from Boeing shortly after the March 6 Senate hearing, but it “did not identify which personnel conducted the door plug work.”
In her letter, Homendy said she called Boeing CEO David Calhoun directly to ask for the requested names. Calhoun stated that he was “unable to provide that information and maintained that Boeing has no records of the work being performed.”
Boeing also told NTSB investigators that security camera footage from within the Renton, Wash. plant was “overwritten.” In addition, the door crew manager is currently on a medical leave of absence. After two status update requests, the door crew manager’s attorney told the NTSB that “he would not be able to provide a statement or interview…due to medical issues.”
“The absence of those records will complicate the NTSB’s investigation moving forward,” Homendy said in the letter.
