A Boeing official said the debris was discovered in “several” planes but did not give a precise number.

“This is a crucial time for Boeing,” Calhoun said. “I see greatness in this company, but I also see opportunities to be better. Much better.”

"We've made mistakes and we got some things wrong. We're improving and we're learning," Muilenburg said.

In an interview with Global News' Jackson Proskow shortly after testifying at a hearing before the U.S. House subcommittee on aviation, Paul Njoroge called Boeing's announcement a "total gaffe."

The multiyear payout is independent of lawsuits filed by families of the 346 people killed in the Indonesia and Ethiopia plane crashes.

Boeing charged extra for safety features in the Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets — angle of attack indicators and angle of attack disagree lights.