FULL INTERVIEW: Former Boeing manager turned whistleblower Ed Pierson

“I won’t step foot on a 737 MAX” Boeing Executive

A former Boeing manager turned whistleblower talks to KIRO 7 News about the safety of 737 MAX jets following the shocking midair blowout of a door plug on a flight out of Portland.

Ed Pierson, a former senior manager at Boeing’s 737 Factory in Renton, Washington, raised concerns to his supervisors about the dangerously unstable production environment and risks to the safety of airplanes. The factory was plagued with overworked employees, chronic part shortages, quality issues, and unrelenting schedule pressure to deliver MAX airplanes. Ed recommended Boeing leadership shutdown production operations before both crashes, but sadly he was ignored. After the crashes he implored the leaders of the NTSB, FAA, and DOT to conduct a thorough investigation of the factory and to involve international accident investigators, but was ignored again. He shared his story with the U.S. Congress. In turn, Congress directed the FAA to conduct a proper investigation. Instead the FAA focused on helping Boeing recertify the airplane. In response, Ed conducted his own investigation and linked factory conditions to both crashes. He is determined to shine a light on the truth to help avoid future tragedies.