U.S. is said to open criminal inquiry into Boeing (nytimes.com)

Article summary

The US is reportedly opening a criminal investigation into Boeing, following recent incidents involving the company's aircraft. The investigation's details are not publicly available, but the news has sparked a discussion about accountability and regulation in the aviation industry. Some commenters believe that executives should be held responsible for the company's actions, while others argue that a blameless fact-finding approach is necessary to improve the system. The incident has also raised concerns about the relationship between regulators and the industry they oversee.

Main themes

• Boeing investigation
• Aviation regulation
• Corporate accountability
• Executive responsibility
• Regulatory capture

What commenters say

• The Boeing board and executives should be held accountable for the company's actions and face consequences such as firing or jail time.
• A blameless fact-finding approach is necessary to improve the system and prevent future incidents, rather than assigning blame to individuals.
• The close relationship between regulators and the industry they oversee creates a conflict of interest and undermines effective regulation.
• The US government's response to the incident will be influenced by Boeing's status as a major defense contractor and its impact on American hegemony.
• The incident highlights the need for stronger regulation and oversight of the aviation industry to prevent similar incidents in the future.
• Some argue that punishing executives before evidence has pointed to their guilt is unfair and premature, while others believe that the company's actions demonstrate a clear pattern of negligence.
• The FAA's limited budget and reliance on industry self-regulation contribute to the problem of regulatory capture and ineffective oversight.
• The incident has damaged trust between international regulatory bodies, such as the FAA and EASA, and may lead to separate actions being taken by other countries.