Various safety inspectors at the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, who reviewed operations of aircraft including Boeing Co.'s 737 MAX, lacked sufficient training to certify pilots, the U.S. Office of Special Counsel said.
An investigation by the FAA's independent audit and evaluation arm found that 16 out of 22 safety inspectors had not completed formal training, while 11 of them did not have flight instructor certifications which are a basic requirement of the role. The allegations were brought forward by a whistleblower and are supported by an agency investigation, the Office of Special Counsel said.
However, despite the investigation's findings, the FAA allegedly told the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation in April that the staff responsible for Boeing 737 MAX certifications was fully qualified for the process.
"The FAA's failure to ensure safety inspector competency for these aircraft puts the flying public at risk," said Special Counsel Henry Kerner. Kerner's office has notified U.S. President Donald Trump and Congress of the developments.
The FAA is reviewing the federal investigator's allegation, CNBC reported.
