Boeing’s new fixer is no engineer – and the industry is worried

After the latest twist in its five-year manufacturing and safety nightmare, Boeing took drastic action this week and ousted its chief executive and chairman. The clear-out at the top made headlines, but within aerospace it was the replacement of engineer Stan Deal, head of Boeing’s airliner unit, that posed most questions. Stephanie Pope, who has a background in finance, may now determine the future of the crisis-hit 737 Max model, and with it Boeing’s chances of restoring its tarnished reputation and shattered finances. The reaction to the move from within the industry suggests many are far from convinced that Pope, 51, can deliver the turnaround required. Her appointment comes weeks after a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max-9 at 16,000 feet, causing an uncontrolled decompression of the cabin that left passengers fearing for their lives. Checks found that four bolts designed to hold the plug in place were missing, with further investigations bringing to light a litany of quality-control and manufacturing issues across the 737 programme. Though an aerospace veteran who has racked up almost three decades at Boeing, experts say Pope lacks the engineering experience needed to deal with such extensive production problems. Deal, who...

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