Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun met with US lawmakers. Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Despite the ongoing investigation into the Alaska Airlines door plug blow-out incident, Boeing’s CEO Dave Calhoun has seemingly admitted the company was at fault. 

The 737 MAX family of planes has been a significant problem for the plane maker over several years, and the midair blow-out on the MAX 9 jet has thrown future orders with major airlines into doubt.

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During a call to investors and the media, Calhoun declared “We caused the problem”. 

“While we report our financial results today, our full focus is on taking comprehensive actions to strengthen quality at Boeing, including listening to input from our 737 employees that do this work every day,” Calhoun added. 

Along with the acknowledgement, Calhoun and Boeing provided an update on discussions with the FAA after the incident on flight 1282. 

“The company continues to cooperate transparently with the FAA following the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 accident involving a 737-9. Commercial Airplanes is taking immediate actions to strengthen quality on the 737 program, including requiring additional inspections within its factory and at key suppliers, supporting expanded oversight from airline customers and pausing 737 production for one day to refocus its employees on quality.” 

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“The company has also appointed an outside expert to lead an in-depth independent assessment of Commercial Airplanes’ quality management system, with recommendations provided directly to Calhoun and the Aerospace Safety Committee of Boeing’s Board of Directors,” the fourth quarter financial release stated. 

The company’s Commercial Airplanes division increased its revenue to $10.5 billion in Q4 2023. 

But overall, for the full year, Boeing recorded a net loss of $2.2bn.