Netflix Documentary "Downfall" Exposes Boeing's Crisis and Safety Failures

A new documentary on Netflix, "Downfall: The Case Against Boeing," delves into the controversies plaguing the aerospace giant. The film examines the series of events that led to a crisis for Boeing, a company once considered a global leader in aviation.

The documentary revisits the crashes of two Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the deaths of 346 people. It features testimonies from former Boeing employees who reveal internal problems that were allegedly ignored.

These issues include the use of defective parts, the falsification of quality control checks, and a work environment that allegedly prioritized production speed over passenger safety. The film suggests a systemic failure within the company's culture.

"Downfall" also focuses on the story of John Barnett, a 32-year veteran and quality control manager at Boeing. Barnett died in March 2024 while involved in legal action against the company. His death, ruled a suicide, was a key factor that motivated director Rory Kennedy to continue her investigation into Boeing's practices. This new film builds upon Kennedy's previous work, "Downfall: The Boeing Story," released in 2022, which also exposed repeated failures in Boeing's aircraft manufacturing.