Senators grill Boeing CEO over deadly 737 Max crashes

WASHINGTON (ABC7) — Boeing’s CEO was in the crosshairs of a Senate subcommittee today, trying to get to the bottom of why two 737 Max jetliners crashed and how to prevent similar tragedies moving forward.

Dennis Muilenburg faced angry members of Congress, one of whom had a victim, Samya Stumo, from his home state of Massachusetts.

“These loved ones lost lives because of an accident that was not only preventable but was the result of a pattern of deliberate concealment," said Senator Richard Blumenthal. “Boeing came to my office shortly after these crashes and said they were the result of pilot error. Those pilots never had a chance. Those loved ones never had a chance. They were in flying coffins."

For two and a half hours, Muilenburg and his chief engineer answered questions, which Senators often perceived as deflections rather than honest assessments.

“Let’s get to the question,” said Senator Jon Tester of Montana. “I can pivot with the best of them, I know how to pivot. I know when people are pivoting. You’re pivoting. Tell me if you would support having the FAA do the certifications.”

Those “certifications” to which Tester referred are part of a designee program that delegates power to industry employees to certify their own systems with the same authority as the FAA.

“We believe that delegated authority process that we have has improved safety over the last two decades,” said Muilenburg. “We are open to improving it.”

Several key elements were at issue, including when Boeing knew about potentially fatal problems with automated stabilization called "MCAS," why nothing was seemingly done when test pilots called the system "egregious" and “crazy" and why the company and the FAA didn't take extreme action when it became aware of potentially catastrophic flaws.

"You knew about these problems and you continued to put them into system,” said Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. “When we ask you to answer these questions, you have told this committee and me half-truths. Which is why I’m so upset. You have not told us the whole truth and these families are suffering because of it."

Victims’ families were present for the hearing, holding-up photos of loved ones killed in both the Ethiopia and Indonesia crashes that claimed 346 lives.

At one point, Muilenburg spoke to families directly: “On behalf of myself and the Boeing company, we're sorry, deeply and truly sorry. As a husband and father myself, I’m heartbroken by your losses.” He called it Boeing’s “solemn duty” to learn from and not repeat mistakes of the past.

Members repeatedly asked Muilenburg, on behalf of Boeing, to commit to specific reforms and support new legislation to improve safety and oversight.

“You've been asked over and over again, what would you support,” said Senator Tom Udall of New Mexico. “It's absolutely clear that it's too cozy a relationship with the FAA and your airline.”

“While I respectfully don't agree with the characterization of the coziness with the FAA, we are committed to strong oversight in the aerospace industry,” said Muilenburg. “It's part of what makes this system safe.”

Muilenburg said the planes will not fly again until everyone is satisfied that they are safe, but a number of Senators raised the issue as to whether this plane could be safe without being entirely redesigned. While the plane still operates under its original 1967 certification, there have been 14 iterations of the 737. Those critical of the 737 Max design say it is nothing like the original and should be required to undergo complete recertification, as if it were a new plane, taking into consideration how all of the changes over the past 52 years work, or do not work, together.

Tomorrow Muilenburg will face questions again, this time from the House Transportation Committee.

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