**FAA Report Unveils Alarming Production Issues at Boeing Factories**

A revealing investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), published on Wednesday, has exposed profound deficiencies in Boeing’s manufacturing processes. The special audit, carried out over six weeks, indicated that Boeing workers were frequently rushed into prioritizing production speed over quality. The report also highlighted a lack of proper training for the workforce, exacerbating the quality concerns.

This is yet another significant blow to Boeing, an aerospace conglomerate already grappling with multiple challenges. These include serious questions surrounding the safety of its aircraft and an ongoing strike involving 33,000 union workers, marking its first such labor dispute in 16 years.

A notable incident that drew attention to these issues was the January mishap involving a 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines. A door plug detached shortly after takeoff, fortunately resulting in no casualties. Investigations revealed a disturbing oversight— the aircraft had left the Boeing factory without the essential bolts to secure the door plug.

The FAA’s findings, disclosed by the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, will be further scrutinized in an upcoming hearing featuring testimony from FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker. According to the report, Boeing faces severe challenges in adequately training its staff, documenting and controlling nonconforming parts, and performing quality inspections.

In response, Boeing acknowledged these issues and announced ongoing efforts to enhance production quality and safety. They emphasized their commitment to fostering a safety culture that empowers employees to voice concerns, noting that this shift demands continuous attention.

The FAA hasn't escaped criticism either. The report pointed fingers at the agency's insufficient oversight, citing a "too-hands-off" regulatory approach that had been previously criticized by Whitaker in June. The document raised serious concerns about the FAA’s effectiveness in ensuring Boeing adheres to top-notch safety standards.

Despite these criticisms, the FAA defended its regulatory practices in a statement on Wednesday, affirming its determination to persist with stringent oversight measures. Administrator Whitaker underscored this stance, insisting that it won't be back to business as usual for Boeing.

The audit uncovered numerous instances of compromised safety measures and shortcuts taken by Boeing employees. Among the more egregious examples was a mechanic’s use of an unauthorized and uncalibrated homemade device for measuring component gaps— a practice reportedly common among his peers.

Additionally, the report shed light on inadequate process controls for handling scrap materials, an issue that had been previously highlighted by a whistleblower in a CNN report earlier this year.

Addressing the House Aviation Subcommittee, Whitaker explained that Boeing’s Renton, Washington, 737 plant is now under rigorous FAA supervision, with inspectors individually approving every new plane. However, lawmakers, including Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, criticized the FAA’s reactive approach, urging more proactive and aggressive oversight.

Whitaker acknowledged Boeing's incremental progress in addressing unfinished tasks on production lines but emphasized that fostering a robust safety culture remains a long-term endeavor. "It will take years of consistently delivering safety messages and proving that safety outweighs production considerations for the culture to fully evolve," he remarked.