Another Boeing Whistleblower steps forward ahead of CEO testimony

(WJET/WFXP) — Sen. Richard Blumenthal’s office announced on Tuesday that a current Boeing employee has come forward as a whistleblower just hours before Boeing’s CEO, David Calhoun, is set to begin his testimony on Capital Hill.

Blumenthal’s office identified the employee as Sam Mohawk, a Quality Assurance inspector in Renton, Washington.

Mohawk claims that Boeing has been improperly documenting, tracking, and storing what are known as ‘nonconforming parts.’ These parts are those that are either damaged or out of specification. Sometimes these parts are even used and installed onto aircraft, according to Blumenthal’s office.

“He said that he has been told by his supervisors to conceal this evidence from the FAA, and that he is being retaliated against as well

Senator Blumenthal , (D) Connecticut

A spokesperson from Boeing said in a statement on Tuesday that the company had received the new documents Monday evening and had begun to review the claims made.

We continuously encourage employees to report all concerns as our priority is to ensure the safety of our airplanes and the flying public.”

Boeing Spokesperson

This is the latest whistleblower claiming the company has been cutting corners on quality and safety practices during aircraft production.

According to Blumenthal’s planned opening statement, he is expected to pressure Calhoun on what he calls a “broken safety culture” at Boeing, saying that the executives turned a blind eye to the safety issues and instead catered to its shareholders.

“Mr. Calhoun, you were brought in turn this company around. But instead of asking what has caused Boeing’s safety culture to erode, you and your colleagues in the C-suite have deflected blame, looked the other way, and catered to your shareholders instead,” according to Blumenthal’s planned opening statement. “Boeing needs to stop thinking about the next earnings call and start thinking about the next generation.”

According to the planned opening statement of Boeing CEO David Calhoun, he is expected to begin with an apology about the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302, apologizing on behalf of Boeing and continuing to say that nothing is more important than the safety of their passengers.

The hearing is expected to begin at 2 p.m. EDT today.