New York (AFP)

Eric Lindblad, who is in charge of the 737 program, including the MAX, is leaving American aircraft manufacturer Boeing, who has been stuck in an unprecedented crisis since mid-March following two close accidents that left 346 dead.

In an internal document sent Thursday to employees and which AFP obtained a copy, the head of the civil aviation division Kevin McAllister indicates that Mr. Lindblad has decided to retire.

Entering Boeing 34 years ago, Mr. Lindblad was at the helm of Boeing's 737 - the most profitable program - for only a year. He is the first senior operational manager to leave the aircraft manufacturer after grounding the entire 737 MAX fleet around the world.

The management of the 737 crisis by Boeing management has been the subject of much criticism, with some observers blaming the group for lack of transparency.

In particular, CEO Dennis Muilenburg was criticized for resisting calling on the US authorities to nail the plane to the ground and refusing to talk about design flaws in the 737 MAX even though the MCAS anti-stall system of the aircraft was involved in both accidents by preliminary investigations.

Mr. Muilenburg dismissed any idea of ​​resignation. He reiterated that his mission now is to make sure that the 737 MAX returns to the skies and that safety is Boeing's leitmotiv.

Eric Lindblad "told me last year of his desire to retire," said Thursday Kevin McAllister, announcing that Mark Jenks will take over as 737 Program Manager in the "coming weeks".

In addition to the 737 program, Jenks will also be in charge of the Renton plant near Seattle, where the 737 MAXs are assembled.

Mr. Jenks, who has been with Boeing for 36 years, was previously Vice President of the mid-sized airliner project, temporarily called "NMA" with a capacity of 200 to 270 seats.

Before that, he was on the program of 787. Especially at the time of battery problems, just after the entry into service of this long-haul.

He will be replaced on the NMA by Mike Sinnett, the current product strategy manager.

© 2019 AFP