Please help with Business Law class ethics memo case and answer all questions please and thank you

Boeing Dilemma

You are the vice president in charge of manufacturing for Boeing. Including in the job description is the obligation to ensure that all products being brought to market are safe for the public. You have signed off on the Boeing 737 MAX 8 which is now being sold to a number of airlines from a number of different countries. Currently there are 300 that have been sold with a number of orders backlogged. Each of these planes cost the buyers about $120,000,000.00. The result is that the planes have generated a great deal of profit for Boeing. You have made statements to the FAA that the planes are flight worthy and that any problems are pilot related.

You have been made aware prior to a number of the sales, that this aircraft has a problem with a new cockpit alert system that could malfunction if a single sensor failed which would pitch the plane downward and make it almost impossible to stop the nosedive. There is also information that the pilots need to have specific training to handle the aircraft if there is a sensor malfunction.

In fact, there has already been one plane crash costing 189 lives. To date, this crash has been blamed on pilot error. There has now been a second crash costing 157 lives. You have since issued a press release that the plane is as safe as any plane that has ever flown.

You are now being asked questions about the manufacturing glitch such as when did you know about it, how serious is it and could it have caused the two downed aircraft. Obviously if it comes out that you knew about this, you will lose your job and perhaps face serious criminal charges. The company will lose sales and have to pay damages for the past failures and the crashes. Most probably, the customers will cancel any purchase orders and will demand their deposits be refunded. Additionally, the aircraft are now grounded and that is also costing the company greatly.

Answer Guidelines

You should define the ethical dilemma or dilemmas and state why it is a dilemma.

What are the facts?

What are the critical issues?

Who are the stakeholders? What position will each stakeholder take?

What are the alternatives?

What are the ethical implications of each alternative?

Is it legal?

How would it look in the light of day?

What are the consequences?

Does it violate important values?

Does it violate the Golden Rule?

Is it just?

Has the process been fair?

Is more than one alternative right?

Which values are in conflict?

Which of these values are most important?

Can you find an alternative that is consistent with your values?

What is the ethical dilemma described in the scenario? Why is it an ethical dilemma?

Do any laws or policies apply to this situation?

Who else at Boeing should be involved in resolving the problem?

What should be long term and short term solutions to ensure this wouldnt happen again?