The FBI is reportedly joining the government's investigation into Boeing's 737 Max plane (BA)

Boeing

• Federal investigators are looking into how Boeing's 737 Max plane was certified to fly. 
• The FBI is also joining the Department of Transportation's inquiry, the Seattle Times reported. 

The FBI is joining the Department of Transportation's investigation into the Boeing 737 Max plane, the Seattle Times reported Wednesday.

People familiar with the matter told reporter Steve Miletich that the investigation is focused on how the plane, which has crashed twice in the past five months, was certified to fly. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao formally requested an audit of the FAA's certification for the process in a letter sent to the agency on Tuesday.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Separately, the Pentagon's inspector general said Wednesday that it will investigate a watchdog group's allegations that acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan has used his office to promote his former employer, Boeing.

Read the full Seattle Times report here.

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• The Boeing 737 Max is likely to be the last version of the best-selling airliner of all time
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See Also:

• Boeing reshuffles its top engineers amid 737 Max crisis
• The US government wants to audit how the Boeing 737 Max got approved to fly by the FAA
• The Boeing 737 Max is likely to be the last version of the best-selling airliner of all time

SEE ALSO: The Boeing 737 Max is likely to be the last version of the best-selling airliner of all time