Source: AFP
Boeing said Thursday it is reviewing fasteners on some undelivered 787 jets after discovering problems with their installation in the latest manufacturing defect the company is facing.
The aviation giant, which is facing intense scrutiny from regulators after recent incidents and manufacturing difficulties, said planes already in service can continue to fly safely.
“Our 787 team is checking the fuselage side fasteners of some undelivered 787 Dreamliner airplanes to ensure they meet our engineering specifications,” the company said.
Boeing said it discovered during a quality check that some fasteners had been “wrongly oriented.”
The company’s review is focused on whether the planes in inventory need rework, Boeing said, adding that 787 Dreamliner deliveries have not been interrupted and that it expects “limited to no impact on deliveries.”
The company said it is working closely with the Federal Aviation Administration and customers on the matter.
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“Boeing has disclosed that it may have improperly installed fuselage fasteners on some 787 Dreamliner aircraft,” the FAA said. “The FAA is investigating and working closely with Boeing to determine the appropriate actions and ensure the immediate repair of the production system.”
The latest 787 issue, discovered as part of Boeing’s quality management operation, comes as the company faces scrutiny following a January near-miss at Alaska Airlines and recent testimony from whistleblowers about the company’s safety.
Also Thursday, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker briefed a Senate committee on the agency’s enhanced oversight of Boeing involving additional inspectors, pledging that the agency “will continue to hold them accountable for producing and delivering safe aircraft.” .
In April, Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testified before a Senate committee that due to manufacturing problems, the 787 Dreamliner contains gaps between components well above the company’s standards, posing the risk of a potentially catastrophic accident.
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Boeing countered those accusations, pointing to exhaustive testing procedures that proved the jet was safe.
Source: AFP