The US National Transportation Safety Board disclosed that Boeing had been aware since 2011 of repeated failures of a bearing in the MD-11 engine mount, which ultimately gave way on a UPS cargo jet shortly after takeoff in November 2024, causing the crash that killed 15 people. According to the NTSB, the part had fractured on four occasions across three aircraft before Boeing issued a non-mandatory service bulletin recommending installation of a redesigned bearing. The advisory fell short of an FAA airworthiness directive, allowing operators to reinstall the original component despite its history of cracking. Investigators also noted that the MD-11’s detailed inspections were scheduled only after an additional 7,000 take-off and landing cycles following the last close examination in October 2021. All MD-11s and related DC-10s remain grounded pending the board’s final report, which investors view as a potential catalyst for further regulatory scrutiny and litigation risk.

Boeing reported delivery of 160 commercial aircraft in the fourth quarter, bringing the full-year tally to 600 jets—the highest annual total since 2018 and up from 348 in 2024. The 737 family led production with 117 Q4 deliveries, reflecting progress toward Boeing’s goal of ramping 737 MAX output to 84 units per month. Defense, Space & Security also contributed with 37 fourth-quarter deliveries, lifting the segment’s 2025 figure to 131 units, including AH-64 Apaches, CH-47 Chinooks, F-15 and F/A-18 fighters, KC-46 tankers and MH-139 helicopters. Management highlighted that 97% of the planned 84-jet monthly run-rate is pre-sold, underscoring robust backlog health and operational discipline after recent quality control challenges.

Boeing has fortified its backlog with a 145-aircraft order from Alaska Airlines for the 737 MAX program, boosting MAX 10 commitments by 8.1%, and secured a 50-jet purchase agreement from Aviation Capital Group. These deals follow a tentative settlement reached with a Canadian plaintiff whose six relatives perished in the 2019 Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX accident, thereby reducing some legal uncertainties. The combination of fresh orders and progress on litigation is seen by analysts as a positive signal for Boeing’s market momentum and risk profile, ahead of fourth-quarter earnings and ongoing certification efforts for new variants.