FAA Extends Program Allowing Boeing to Perform Certain Tasks on Behalf of Agency
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced a three-year extension of the program that authorizes Boeing to perform tasks on behalf of the agency, such as inspections and repair approvals. This initiative, known as the Organization Designation Authorization (ODA), was renewed after the FAA confirmed improvements in key performance areas.
The FAA stated that before making the decision, it “closely monitored specific criteria and observed improvements in most areas,” while warning that it would continue to oversee Boeing’s performance throughout the new authorization period.
What Does the ODA Program Entail?
The ODA allows an independent unit within Boeing to carry out tasks delegated by the FAA, particularly in engineering, manufacturing, and administrative functions. According to a 2024 report, over 1,000 Boeing employees performed duties on behalf of the regulatory agency.
However, the authorization is not unconditional. In 2022, when renewing the program for three years instead of the five Boeing had requested, the FAA mandated that ODA employees must be able to act “free from interference by company management.”
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Incident and Political Pressure
The program’s renewal follows an incident that reignited concerns about Boeing’s internal controls. In January 2024, an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 experienced a mid-air emergency due to missing four key bolts. The incident prompted then-FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker to order the implementation of a safety and quality improvement plan for the manufacturer. Whitaker acknowledged that previous oversight had been “too lenient.”
In March, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy was emphatic: Boeing requires strict oversight.
Congress had already taken action in December 2020 by passing sweeping reforms to the new aircraft certification process, following two fatal 737 MAX crashes that claimed 346 lives and grounded the model for 20 months.
FAA Issues Airworthiness Certificates
The FAA continues to individually inspect all Boeing 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft before issuing airworthiness certificates. Boeing is not authorized to perform this task, despite some FAA officials proposing in 2023 to restore this capability. The request was not approved due to the Alaska Airlines incident.
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