NYT–Boeing Pushed for Reduced Government Oversight !!!

Boeing lobbied for and helped shape new legislation last year that essentially undercut the government’s role in approving the design of new airplanes, a Times investigation reveals.

When the bill was being written, the Federal Aviation Administration and a labor group representing agency inspectors raised concerns that the new rules could compromise safety.

Weeks after the law was passed, a Boeing 737 Max jet crashed off the coast of Indonesia, killing everyone onboard. A second Max crashed in Ethiopia less than five months later, and the 737 Max was grounded.

Now, as Boeing tries to emerge from the crisis, lawmakers are scrutinizing flaws in the new rules.

How we know: The Times interviewed more than 50 regulators, industry executives, congressional staff members and lobbyists, and examined drafts of the bill and federal documents.

What’s next? Boeing’s chief executive, Dennis Muilenburg, will testify before Congress this week for the first time since the two crashes.