National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) chair Jennifer Homendy said Boeing overwrote surveillance footage from the repair work done on the failed door plug from Alaska Airlines flight 1282.

“As you know, the Boeing 737-9 aircraft that flew as Alaska Airlines flight 1282 (registration N704AL) underwent rivet repairs at Boeing’s Renton, Washington, facility in September 2023 prior to delivery to Alaska Airlines. The door plug that failed during Alaska 1282’s incident flight was opened so that this rivet repair work could be performed,” Homendy wrote in a letter to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation that is reviewing the incident.

“To date, we still do not know who performed the work to open, reinstall, and close the door plug on the accident aircraft. Boeing has informed us that they are unable to find the records documenting this work. A verbal request was made by our investigators for security camera footage to help obtain this information; however,
they were informed the footage was overwritten. The absence of those records will complicate the NTSB’s investigation moving forward,” she continued.

“NTSB investigators first requested documents that would have contained this information from Boeing on January 9, 2024. Shortly thereafter, we identified the door crew manager and were advised that he was out on medical leave. We requested status updates on February 15, 2024, and February 22, 2024, after which we were advised by his attorney that he would not be able to provide a statement or interview to NTSB due to medical issues. On February 2, 2024, Boeing gave NTSB names of individuals who may provide insight regarding the work performed to open, reinstall, and close the door plug in September 2023. The team continued its investigative work,” Homendy continued.

“This comes just days after a major Boeing whistleblower was found dead at his hotel while testifying against the company,” journalist Nick Sortor wrote.

John Barnett, a former Boeing employee known for scrutinizing the company’s production standards, was found dead in Charleston, South Carolina.

BREAKING: Boeing Whistleblower Found Dead In Truck, Recently Gave Deposition In Lawsuit

Per Fox Business:

When reached by FOX Business for comment, a Boeing official said the company maintains video for a rolling 30-day basis, which they said is consistent with standard practice.

"We will continue supporting this investigation in the transparent and proactive fashion we have supported all regulatory inquiries into this accident," the company said in an official statement.

"We have worked hard to honor the rules about the release of investigative information in an environment of intense interest from our employees, customers, and other stakeholders, and we will continue our efforts to do so." Boeing added.

Investigators found that four key bolts were missing from the door plug to the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft when it took off from Portland, Oregon, on Jan. 5. The panel blew off at 16,000 feet, which caused the cabin to depressurize before the flight returned safely to Portland International Airport.

From ABC News:

Following the March 6 hearing, Boeing provided a list of names to the NTSB of personnel who reported to the door crew manager, but that list did not identify who performed the door plug work, according to Homendy.

Homendy stated in her letter that she then contacted Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun after receiving the list and asked for the names of those who performed the work. Calhoun "stated he was unable to provide that information and maintained that Boeing has no records of the work being performed," according to Homendy's letter.

"The absence of those records will complicate the NTSB's investigation moving forward," Homendy wrote in the letter, which was requested in response to questions during her testimony in front of the committee.

Homendy insisted in the letter that her agency is "not in any way seeking the names of employees who performed the work on the door plug for punitive purposes" -- saying she instructed the NTSB to protect the identities of the door crew and other front-line employees who come forward.

Following the hearing, Boeing said in a statement to ABC News that the company has responded "comprehensively" to all NTSB requests with relevant information.

Read the full letter HERE.

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