Aviation

10 things about Boeing New CEO Kelly Ortberg

Boeing has announced Robert K. “Kelly” Ortberg as its new President and Chief Executive Officer, effective August 8, 2024. As the company embarks on a new chapter, Ortberg’s extensive aerospace experience and leadership will play a crucial role in shaping Boeing’s future.

Here are ten key things you should know about Boeing’s new CEO and his impressive career that has led him to this pivotal role.

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Appointment Date: Robert K. Ortberg will officially become Boeing’s President and Chief Executive Officer on August 8, 2024.

Board Membership: In addition to his role as CEO, Ortberg will join Boeing’s Board of Directors.

Successor: Ortberg will succeed Dave Calhoun, who is retiring after serving as President and CEO since January 2020 and as a Board member since 2009.

Selection Process: Boeing’s Board of Directors conducted a thorough search for the new CEO, ultimately selecting Ortberg based on his extensive experience and leadership skills.

Industry Experience: Ortberg has over 35 years of experience in the aerospace industry, starting his career as an engineer at Texas Instruments in 1983.

Rockwell Collins Leadership: He joined Rockwell Collins in 1987, where he held various leadership roles and became President and CEO in 2013.

Post-Rockwell Collins: After the integration of Rockwell Collins with United Technologies and RTX, Ortberg retired from RTX in 2021.

Board Roles: Ortberg has served on the Board of Directors of RTX and Aptiv PLC and is a former Chair of the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) Board of Governors.

Educational Background: He holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Iowa.

Vision for Boeing: Ortberg expressed excitement about joining Boeing and is committed to continuing the company’s legacy of safety and quality, emphasizing his eagerness to work with Boeing’s team.

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Aviation

Lost Tool Found in Qantas A380 After 34 Flights

An Australian Transportation Safety Bureau (ATSB) investigation recently revealed that a Qantas A380 operated 34 flights with a 1.25-meter nylon tool lodged in one of its engines.

This turning tool, used during borescope inspections to rotate the intermediate-pressure compressor, was left behind during scheduled maintenance at Los Angeles on December 6, 2023. It remained inside the engine until it was discovered by maintenance staff during a subsequent check at Los Angeles on January 1, 2024.

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The ATSB report highlights two critical lapses. First, maintenance engineers failed to notice the tool during final checks for foreign objects after the borescope inspection. Second, the lost tool procedure was not activated when the tool was identified as missing.

The certifying engineer ultimately cleared the aircraft for service without accounting for the misplaced tool. During the time qantas films the tool was inside, the A380 completed 34 flight cycles, accumulating nearly 294 hours without any noticeable effect on engine performance.

Although the tool was deformed by high-energy airflow within the engine, there was no reported damage to the engine itself. ATSB Chief Commissioner Angus Mitchell commented.

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“This incident underscores the importance of following established maintenance protocols. Engineers missed the tool during foreign object checks, and the required lost tool procedure wasn’t started after realizing the tool was missing.”

Following the investigation, the airline issued a safety directive, urging all engineering and tool storage teams to adhere strictly to these protocols to prevent similar incidents in the future.

A qantas spokesperson stated, “While the tool didn’t impact engine performance, we take this incident very seriously. It is critical to follow the correct lost tool procedures.”