On Thursday, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) warned Boeing that it could lose its qualification to participate in the 737 MAX air accident investigation if it continues to provide undisclosed information to the media and speculate on possible causes.
On Thursday evening, Timothy LeBaron, the NTSB's Director of Aviation Safety, informed Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun in a letter that a Boeing executive had released undisclosed investigation information to dozens of reporters during a factory tour this week and speculated on the possible causes of the January 5th door blockage incident without confirmation.
LeBaron indicated that the NTSB had considered disqualifying Boeing as an investigation participant, adding that any further violations would result in Boeing losing its qualification, thereby preventing its involvement in the investigation.
"Such disregard for federal regulations and NTSB investigative rules cannot be tolerated," LeBaron wrote, noting that the board had warned Boeing about previous comments on March 13th.
He added that some of the remarks made by Boeing's Senior Vice President of Quality, Elizabeth Lund, were either inaccurate or unknown to the NTSB, while other information had never been publicly disclosed before.
Boeing declined to comment directly on the letter but referred to an earlier apology statement issued after the NTSB sanctioned it for media comments.
