Boeing blasted by US regulator for revealing panel blowout details to media

Boeing has faced criticism from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) for allegedly breaching regulations by disclosing private information to the media and speculating on the cause of a cabin panel blowout incident involving an Alaska Airlines aircraft in January. The NTSB accused Boeing of violating its regulations and a settlement agreement related to previous fatal crashes. As a result, Boeing has been sanctioned, losing access to information produced by the NTSB during the ongoing investigation. The NTSB clarified that its focus is on determining the probable cause of the incident, not assigning blame to individuals. Boeing organized a media briefing to address safety concerns but was reprimanded for providing unauthorized information and analysis. In response, Boeing expressed regret for overstepping the NTSB's role and offered apologies, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and cooperation with the investigation. The Department of Justice is considering potential prosecution against Boeing for the breach.