A new documentary by filmmaker Rory Kennedy has brought to light explosive allegations from former Boeing employees, who claim the company systematically ignored safety warnings and retaliated against whistleblowers. The film, which features interviews with multiple ex-staffers, paints a damning picture of corporate misconduct at the aerospace giant.
Whistleblower Accounts Detail Safety Concerns
Former Boeing engineer John Barnett, who worked at the company for 32 years, told Kennedy that he repeatedly raised concerns about defective parts being installed on 787 Dreamliners. Barnett alleged that managers dismissed his warnings and later subjected him to harassment. Another whistleblower, Ed Pierson, a former senior manager at Boeing's 737 plant, described how production pressures led to unsafe practices. "They were pushing planes out the door as fast as possible, and quality was suffering," Pierson said in the documentary.
Retaliation and Cover-Up Allegations
The documentary also explores the aftermath of the 2018 Lion Air crash and the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines crash, which together killed 346 people. Kennedy interviewed former Boeing pilot Mark Forkner, who claimed he was scapegoated for design flaws in the 737 Max. Forkner stated that Boeing executives withheld information from the FAA about the MCAS system. "They threw me under the bus to protect themselves," Forkner said.
According to the film, Boeing's internal messaging system showed employees joking about the 737 Max's flaws. One message read, "This plane is designed by clowns who in turn are supervised by monkeys." Kennedy said the documentary aims to hold Boeing accountable. "The families of the victims deserve to know the truth," she told the Guardian.
Boeing's Response and Ongoing Investigations
Boeing has denied the allegations, stating that safety is its top priority. In a statement, the company said, "We have made significant changes to our safety culture and cooperate fully with all investigations." However, the documentary notes that multiple federal investigations are ongoing, including a Department of Justice probe into the 737 Max crashes.
The film, titled 'Boeing's Broken Promise,' is set to premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. Kennedy hopes it will spur regulatory action. "The public needs to know that these are not isolated incidents but a systemic failure," she said.
