Boeing 737 Max Boss Ousted

A BOEING MAX 737 JET FLYING THROUGH THE SKY. THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PLANE READS "737 MAX."

Photo: iStock / Wirestock

Ed Clark, vice president and general manager of the 737 Max program is to leave the company, which has been under scrutiny since a door panel blew off one of its jets during a passenger flight in January.

BBC News says the departure of Ed Clark after nearly 18 years is part of a wider shake-up of the commercial airplane division that Boeing announced on February 21, aimed at improving its quality and safety.

It comes as the aircraft maker prepares to meet with the Federal Aviation Administration, who in January barred Boeing from expanding its 737 Max output while the authority reviewed its production line for the planes.

Ed Clark was vice president and general manager of the 737 program, overseeing the Renton, Washington factory that produced the plane involved in the blowout. He will be replaced by Katie Ringgold, currently vice president of 737 delivery operations. The company also announced it was creating a position of senior vice president for quality.

In a message to staff on February 21, Stan Deal, the head of Boeing commercial airplanes division said the changes were aimed at "ensuring that every airplane we deliver meets or exceeds all quality and safety requirements. Our customers demand, and deserve, nothing less."