Boeing CEO apologizes to victims’ families during Senate hearing

WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — It was an emotional day for family members of Boeing crash victims on Capitol Hill Tuesday.

Clariss Moore said she wants answers after her daughter Danielle was killed in a Boeing crash in Ethiopia in 2019.

“I want them to be held accountable,” Moore said. “I will never get a chance to see, hold, hug, kiss and hear my daughter’s voice ever again.”

Moore said the company’s stated commitment to safety rings hollow to her.

The Ethiopian crash came just months after another crash in Indonesia.

“It doesn’t mean anything when 346 people died,” Moore said.

Moore and other victims’ families attended a Senate hearing about Boeing’s safety culture where Boeing CEO David Calhoun directly addressed them.

“I apologize for the grief that we have caused,” Calhoun said.

Calhoun told senators the company has heard concerns loud and clear.

“Our culture is far from perfect. But we are taking action, and we are making progress,” Calhoun said.

It’s his first testimony to Congress since a door panel blew off a jet during an Alaska Airlines flight in January.

It also comes after whistleblowers alleged defective parts are going on jets and employees who speak up face retaliation.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) said Boeing needs to stop putting production and profits over people.

“These are chilling allegations,” Blumenthal said. “This is not an industry where it’s ok to cut corners.”

Calhoun said the company has made changes like revamping engineering and establishing a safety management system.

Tuesday’s hearing comes as the Justice Department is considering whether to prosecute Boeing over its two fatal crashes.

Family members of victims say they want that to see that happen.

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