Boeing chief executive Dave Calhoun to leave as firm faces safety crisis

Dave Calhoun is to leave his role as head of Boeing at the end of this year, as the crisis over the company’s safety record continues to dominate. 

The head of Boeings commercial airlines division will retire immediately and the company’s chairman will not stand for re-election, the company has announced. 

The firm is under pressure after an unused door blew out of a Boeing 737 Max in January shortly after take-off.

Whilst no one was injured during the incident, it raised questions over the firm’s safety and quality control standards.

Calhoun became chief executive in early 2020 after the company’s previous boss, Dennis Muilenburg, was ousted in the aftermath of one of the biggest scandals in its history. 

Within just five months, two brand new 737 Max planes had been lost in almost identical accidents that claimed the lives of 346 passengers and crew.

Calhoun promised he would strengthen Boeing’s “safety culture” and “rebuild trust” but in January this year, a disused emergency exit door blew off shortly after takeoff. 

An initial report said that four bolts meant to attach the door securely to the aircraft had not been fitted.

Boeing is now reportedly facing a criminal investigation into the incident itself as well as legal action form the passengers who were aboard the plane.