Employees work on the assembly line at a Boeing facility. (Alex Flynn/Bloomberg)

Employees work on the assembly line at a Boeing facility. (Alex Flynn/Bloomberg)

Everett worker criticizes Boeing instructions as complicated, confusing

The complaints were raised during the second day of a hearing to get to the bottom of why a panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.

By Allyson Versprille / Bloomberg

Boeing Co.’s quality management system came under close scrutiny at a hearing investigating the Jan. 5 accident on a 737 Max 9 aircraft on Wednesday, with one worker representative criticizing the processes as overly complex and difficult to follow.

The company’s system “is very complicated,” said Lloyd Catlin, a Boeing worker in Everett and business representative for the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, which represents thousands of Boeing employees. The procedures and instructions have “been through so many changes, especially over the last 10 years, that it’s very ambiguous and open to misinterpretation,” he said.

The complaints were raised during the second day of an extensive hearing held by the National Transportation Safety Board to get to the bottom of why a panel blew off a nearly-new Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft in January. Since the accident, Boeing has said it’s made strides to address quality lapses at its factories, including by simplifying instructions for workers.

The hearing covers a range of topics, including the manufacturing of the 737 Max, the events leading up to the panel – known as a door plug – falling off mid-flight, Boeing’s safety and quality management systems, and the Federal Aviation Administration’s oversight of the planemaker.

Boeing’s factory processes have been under the microscope of regulators and safety inspectors since the accident. The FAA put out a scathing report earlier this year that faulted Boeing for unclear processes, in which workers aren’t aways aware of the demands of senior managers.

One possible source of confusion, according to Catlin, comes from the fact that Boeing has changed the terms in procedures and instructions over the years. For example, inspections were changed to verifications and more recently to conformance decisions. Those types of tweaks can appear minor on the surface but have a big impact on who actually performs the work, he said.

“They appear to be slight changes, but they are dramatic changes,” Catlin said in response to questions at the hearing.

Hector Silva, vice president of regulatory compliance and core quality for Boeing’s commercial airplanes division, said at the hearing that he understands Catlin’s concerns and that the company is trying to communicate better upfront about the reasoning behind certain changes. He also said Boeing is trying to get more feedback on internal processes and procedures from the individuals on the shop floor who interact with them every day.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Fosse will not seek reelection; 2 candidates set to run for her seat

Mason Rutledge and Sam Hem announced this week they will seek the District 1 City Council position.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police arrest two males in shooting at Swift bus

Man, 19, is booked for investigation of attempted murder. 17-year-old held at Denney Juvenile Justice Center on similar charges.

K-POP Empire store owners Todd Dickinson and Ricky Steinlars at their new store location on Thursday, April 17, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood K-pop store wary of new tariffs

Much of the store’s merchandise, which arrives from China and South Korea, is facing new import fees.

Fire department crews rescue climber after 100-foot fall near Index

The climber was flown to Providence Regional Medical Center Everett with non-life-threatening injuries.

Janet Garcia walks into the courtroom for her arraignment at the Snohomish County Courthouse on Monday, April 22, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett mother found competent to stand trial in stabbing death of 4-year-old son

A year after her arraignment, Janet Garcia appeared in court Wednesday for a competency hearing in the death of her son, Ariel Garcia.

Everett council member to retire at end of term

Liz Vogeli’s retirement from the council opens up the race in the November election for Everett’s District 4 seat.

Washington State Department of Commerce Director Joe Nguyễn speaks during the Economic Alliance Snohomish County’s Annual Meeting and Awards events on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in Tulalip, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Commerce boss: How Washington state can make it easier for small businesses

Joe Nguyen made the remarks Wednesday during the annual meeting of the Economic Alliance Snohomish County and the Snohomish County Awards

Logo for news use featuring Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Snohomish County Council toughens enforcement on nuisance RVs

Any RV parked on public roads in unincorporated Snohomish County for more than 72 hours will be at risk of impoundment.

Ryan Bisson speaks to seniors attending a transit workshop hosted by Community Transit on Friday, May 2, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Will Geschke / The Herald)
Community Transit helps seniors navigate buses, trains

A number of workshops hosted by the Snohomish County agency teach older adults how to most effectively ride public transit.

Valley View Middle School eighth grader Maggie Hou, 14, a NASA’s annual “Power to Explore” challenge finalist on Thursday, May 1, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Local students make finals in NASA competition

NASA’s Power to Explore Challenge asks students to create a mission to a moon using radioisotope power systems.

Snohomish County Superior Courthouse in Everett, Washington on February 8, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Snohomish County, 7 local governments across US, sue Trump administration

The lawsuit alleges the administration put unlawful conditions on funding that includes $17M to the county for homelessness assistance.

Photo courtesy of Tulalip Resort Casino
The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino.
A dish to celebrate Cinco de Mayo

The creamy chicken verde enchiladas at World Flavors, located in The Kitchen at Quil Ceda Creek Casino, are a tasty treat year round.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.