FAA chief defends 737 MAX safety inspectors from whistleblower

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The acting top U.S. aviation regulator defended the Federal Aviation Administration on Friday from charges by an unnamed agency employee who told congressional investigators that aviation safety inspectors that worked on the certification of now-grounded Boeing 737 MAX may have been unqualified.

Acting FAA Administrator Dan Elwell said the FAA's Office of Audit and Evaluation conducted a November investigation into concerns raised by an aviation safety inspector who alleged that inspectors did not meet mandatory training requirements. Elwell said the employee's claims did not involve inspectors who evaluated the heavily criticized anti-stall software on the 737 MAX.