Boeing replaces 737 Max chief Ed Clark after mid-air blowout

Boeing announced on Wednesday that the head of its 737 Max programme is departing the aviation giant less than two months after a major safety incident temporarily grounded 171 planes.

Ed Clark, an 18-year Boeing veteran is “leaving the programme”, Boeing Commercial Aviation (BCA) chief Stan Deal said in a memo released by the company that named Katie Ringgold as his replacement.

The move comes after an Alaska Airlines-operated 737 Max on January 5 suffered a mid-flight blowout of an air panel on the fuselage, necessitating an emergency landing after the plane was left with a gaping hole in the cabin.

While there were no serious injuries, safety inspectors said the incident could have been catastrophic.

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Boeing Max plane grounded globally after mid-air blowout leaving hole the size of a door

Boeing Max plane grounded globally after mid-air blowout leaving hole the size of a door

“Ed departs with my, and our, deepest gratitude for his many significant contributions over nearly 18 years of dedicated service to Boeing,” the memo said.

Clark had ascended to the role in March 2021, shortly after a 20-month grounding of the Max programme following two fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.

In her new post, Ringgold’s responsibilities include management of the Renton factory where the Max is assembled, in the western US state of Washington.

The January 5 episode has led to enhanced scrutiny of Boeing by the Federal Aviation Administration regulatory body and lawmakers on Capitol Hill, who plan hearings on the matter.

Part that blew off Boeing 737 Max jet made in Malaysia

Boeing’s response to the latest difficulty has included operational pauses at Renton and other sites to review safety and quality control procedures, and promised enhancements of efforts to bolster inspections of new planes before delivery.

Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun has accepted responsibility for the incident and promised transparency.

In addition to the Ringgold appointment, Boeing named Elizabeth Lund to the newly created post of senior vice-president for quality in the commercial division.

The company named Mike Flemming to succeed Lund as general manager for aeroplane programmes and Don Ruhmann to replace Flemming as vice-president of development programmes.

The leadership changes were needed “as we continue driving BCA’s enhanced focus on ensuring that every airplane we deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements”, Deal said in the memo.

“Our customers demand, and deserve, nothing less.”