Boeing's Tail Problem Of Self Inflicted Arrogance

During a time when humility should have a liberal application of salve applied to the wounds. Boeing strikes at the scabs before they are healed. They wag the dog! During its dog and pony show in Japan, not so long ago, Boeing tries to lead The Federal Aviation Handlers across aviation's dance floor. The NTSB and FAA were not amused, enchanted, or enthralled by the two left feet of Boeing's Dog wagging tail in front of Japanese stone faced clients. Even though it was slightly noticed by the few in the know, a significant Faux Pas had occurred. 

Yes the verbal slight of hand, occurred on no less than Live Streaming, for all the world to see. Here are some news clips of the problem.

NTSB:(Angry)
“The NTSB’s primary concern is that during their March 15 briefing in Tokyo on the modifications to the 787 battery system, Boeing representatives provided their own analysis and conclusions regarding an ongoing NTSB investigation,” Kelly Nantel, an safety board spokeswoman, said in a statement.




Boeing: (Lawyered Up)

“We have received the correspondence, and remain fully committed to support the NTSB and other regulatory authorities in their investigations into the cause of the 787 battery incidents, and also continue our around-the-clock efforts to return the 787 fleet to service,” said Marc Birtel, a Boeing spokesman.

Mike Sinnett "All In" Along Side "The Fix"

If this were a criminal trial, and Boeing being the client for the defense, went out on the street and talked to reporters during the trial explaining its innocents; when they were told to keep its mouth shut until after the trial; then Boeing is really stupid like a ditsy Blond from an old Perry Mason TV episode. 
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(Bloomberg Report Paste in below dashes)

Using Bloomberg's Case In Point

Briefing Comments:

Boeing officials at the briefing in Tokyo said their proposed design changes to the Dreamliner’s battery systems may allow commercial flights to restart within weeks, pending the FAA’s approval. While the NTSB is investigating the incidents, it doesn’t have authority over flights.

Mike Sinnett, vice president and chief project engineer for the 787, said that the NTSB’s preliminary findings on the Jan. 7 fire in Boston indicated there hadn’t been flames within the battery case.

“It was widely reported that there were flames, explosions and fires,” Sinnett said. Referring to the agency’s initial findings, he said: “In the factual report you can see that the only report of flame was two small three-inch flames on the front of the battery box on the connector. There were no flames inside the battery.”

When asked about the comments the next day, Peter Knudson, a safety board spokesman, said investigators hadn’t ruled out fire within the battery case.

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(Bloomberg Report paste in above dashes)

Somewhere in between a haystack fire and a match, lies the truth. Boeing crosses the line of investigative etiquette, and blabs its own reality on the street. Read the full Bloomberg article for a good accounting. Boeing is under a lot of pressure for saving the program. They did not keep its powder dry nor did it wait to see the whites of their eyes. They blew off the war of 1812 and didn't listen to Andrew Jackson.  If this is all true as reported from Bloomberg, a line is crossed during an investigation for proprieties sake, then Boeing's panic attack was all over the internet. Note to Boeing, take a Xanax and a nap before hyperventilating into a lunch sack in Japan.  

Was the NTSB talking about thermal runaway or Boeing's public executive anxiety attack? These issues, although not imperiling the recovery of the 787 program, suggests that Boeing's feet are firmly in the fire, and it is really starting to hurt. That presentation held in Japan was an outgrowth to do something quickly, and Boeing did something quickly. NTSB's jaw dropped!

Mean while back at the Boeing plantation, what is happening would happen anyways regardless of Boeing's Tokyo anxiety attack. The NTSB, et al, is really perturbed, but the show goes on regardless of Boeing's lost nerve, and its blabbing.  Once again nothing has changed in the progressions of moving forward while solving the problem. Sometimes viewing the big picture lets you know the inner working of a corporate dysfunction. 

All will be fixed in short order. Boeing needs to have a coming out party, later rather than sooner. The airplane wars aren't won by wide margins, but by the tinniest of margins. Boeing must not blink or have public anxiety attacks when the NTSB team that will help you during your day in court says, "play by the rules", then play by the rules, and don't blab on the street.