Boeing's safety culture has come under fire in an official review. 

In the wake of a mid-flight emergency involving an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9, Boeing is once again in the spotlight as its safety culture comes under intense scrutiny. 

The incident, which occurred on January 5, involved the blowout of a cabin door panel shortly after takeoff, causing a terrifying situation for the 177 passengers and crew onboard.

The US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has held a two-day hearing to investigate the causes of the accident. 

Testimonies revealed significant lapses in Boeing's safety protocols and production processes, with factory workers citing pressure to meet production deadlines at the expense of proper procedures. 

The panel that blew off the plane had been removed during production to repair damaged rivets, but critical bolts were not replaced during reinstallation.

The incident left a gaping hole in the aircraft, resulting in rapid decompression that blew open the cockpit door. 

A Boeing worker, who was not named, described the company’s safety culture as “garbage”, saying that “nobody’s accountable”. 

Although the plane landed safely, with only minor injuries reported, the event has raised serious concerns about Boeing's manufacturing practices.

Boeing executives faced tough questions during the hearing. 

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy criticised the company, saying; "The safety culture needs a lot of work”. 

Boeing's senior vice president for quality, Elizabeth Lund, acknowledged the shortcomings and announced plans to redesign the door plug mechanism to prevent future blowouts. 

The new design will allegedly ensure that the door plug cannot be closed unless it is securely fastened. 

Boeing aims to implement these changes within a year and retrofit the existing fleet.

This hearing also highlighted systemic issues within Boeing's production process, including confusing instructions and inadequate documentation, which have persisted for years. Despite these recurring problems, some workers are reportedly afraid to speak up due to fears of retaliation, with one employee saying they had been reassigned to a less desirable position as a form of punishment.

The NTSB’s final report on the incident is expected within the next 18 months. 

Meanwhile, Boeing's newly appointed CEO, Kelly Ortberg, has pledged to address the safety concerns and restore trust in the company’s aircraft. 

Ortberg has relocated to Seattle to be closer to Boeing’s production lines and is working to resolve ongoing production and labour issues, including negotiations with the company’s largest labour union.