A Boeing 737-800 nose-dived into the mountains of southern China last week, killing all 132 aboard and rekindling doubts about an iconic Chicago-based company that has yet to fully recover from its own self-inflicted dive.
Once known as a collection of perfectionists committed to safety, Boeing has stumbled in recent years. Air travelers who put their lives in its hands have reason to doubt its credibility. As the travel market picks up again after a pandemic-induced lull, Boeing needs to prove that it will put safety over profit every time.
Less than four years ago, this much-admired company appeared to be cruising straight and level. Then in October 2018, its new 737 MAX (a different model than the 800) crashed in Indonesia. Less than five months later, another new 737 MAX crashed in Ethiopia. The two crashes were no coincidence.
