Latest Boeing News
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Latest Boeing News
Claims that Boeing knew of safety flaws in the manufacture of one of its largest passenger jet aircraft, but covered them up to speed production, are under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), according to a reports.
The information came from a whistleblower inside the beleaguered US aircraft maker, and relates to the structural integrity of the 787 Dreamliner jet, a report published by the New York Times alleges.
The engineer, identified as Sam Salehpour, told the newspaper that sections of the fuselage of the Dreamliner were improperly fastened together and could eventually break apart mid-flight.
Salehpour said he had worked for the company for more than a decade, including on the jets in question, and claimed Boeing employed “shortcuts” in the manufacturing process intended to reduce production bottlenecks – but which ultimately compromised safety.
The information came from a whistleblower inside the beleaguered US aircraft maker, and relates to the structural integrity of the 787 Dreamliner jet, a report published by the New York Times alleges.
The engineer, identified as Sam Salehpour, told the newspaper that sections of the fuselage of the Dreamliner were improperly fastened together and could eventually break apart mid-flight.
Salehpour said he had worked for the company for more than a decade, including on the jets in question, and claimed Boeing employed “shortcuts” in the manufacturing process intended to reduce production bottlenecks – but which ultimately compromised safety.
WASHINGTON, April 9 (Reuters) - The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating a Boeing whistleblower's claims that the company dismissed safety and quality concerns in the production of the planemaker's 787 and 777 jets, an agency spokesperson said on Tuesday.In a statement, Boeing said it was fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner, adding that the claims "are inaccurate and do not represent the comprehensive work Boeing has done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft."
Boeing shares were down nearly 2% at $178.19 on Tuesday afternoon after the FAA confirmed the investigation, which was first reported by the New York Times.
Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour said he identified engineering problems that affected the structural integrity of the jets and claimed Boeing employed shortcuts to reduce bottlenecks during the 787 assembly process, his attorneys said in a release.In a statement,
Reuters was not able to independently verify the whistleblower's claims.
Boeing shares were down nearly 2% at $178.19 on Tuesday afternoon after the FAA confirmed the investigation, which was first reported by the New York Times.
Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour said he identified engineering problems that affected the structural integrity of the jets and claimed Boeing employed shortcuts to reduce bottlenecks during the 787 assembly process, his attorneys said in a release.In a statement,
Reuters was not able to independently verify the whistleblower's claims.
Last edited by Mike Flynn; 9th Apr 2024 at 21:27.
Top Answer
18th Jun 2024, 18:43
And really, the entire MAX door fiasco seems to have been caused by a worker removing parts (the door bolts) from the airplane without having the correct paperwork in hand saying that the parts should be removed and what should happen to them after they are removed. There can be no tolerance for individual initiative in aerospace manufacturing. Instead of recommending sabotage, we should be ensuring that both aerospace manufacturers and employees strictly work to policy and procedure, and to speak up when the procedure is inadequate or not being followed, and change procedures that are not working to deliver a safe, conforming product.
What they should be asking is: WHY was there no paperwork? Was this a one-off, by lazy employee(s), or was it common practice to skip the paperwork, and this time it caught them out? If it was a one-off, then proper re-training to emphasize the importance of doing the job right - including the paperwork - might be sufficient. If it was common practice, then the question is why was it a common practice? Again, lazy employees? Pressure from management? An unintended consequence of pushing to improve quality (e.g. rewards for reduced rework, so if the rework gets performed without paperwork, it doesn't get counted? Something else?
THAT'S what the FAA should be investigating...
Could people heading to the press about problems include specific detail about what the shortcut was and what they believe the effect of it to be?
No doubts about some shortcut and no tolerance for them, but knowing the potential problem gives a bit more information for risk management. Is this "may allow a leak to develop at 10,000 landings" or "these should be grounded immediately?"
No doubts about some shortcut and no tolerance for them, but knowing the potential problem gives a bit more information for risk management. Is this "may allow a leak to develop at 10,000 landings" or "these should be grounded immediately?"
Complete "Agree" with MechEngr as to importance of knowing the particulars insofar as any engineering, manufacturing and production, and potentially certification, issues are concerned.
For the present, this SLF/attorney comments that the individual raising these concerns has engaged the services of a truly heavy-hitter attorney. Based only on press reports and absolutely no personal knowledge whatsoever, consider that Attorney Debra Katz, founding partner of Katz Banks Kumin in Washington, has already evidently driven extensive media and press coverage, and arranged for a spotlight appearance before Ccongress.
From the New York Times article: "Mr. Salehpour’s concerns are set to receive an airing on Capitol Hill. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut and the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s investigations subcommittee, is planning to hold a hearing with Mr. Salehpour on April 17. Mr. Blumenthal said he wanted the public to hear from the engineer firsthand.
'Repeated, shocking allegations about Boeing’s manufacturing failings point to an appalling absence of safety culture and practices — where profit is prioritized over everything else,' Mr. Blumenthal said in a statement." (internal quotation as in NYT article).
And, according to the law firm's website, Attorney Katz was "[r]ecognized by the Washington Post as 'the feared attorney of the #MeToo movement,' [and she] has been successfully litigating employment discrimination, civil rights, and whistleblower protection cases for nearly 40 years." (internal quotation as in original)
In my law firm years I had exactly one matter defending claims brought by a D.C. whistleblower legal specialist; there was pretty extensive use of press releases (it was circa 2006) and it was, in a word, a wild ride. (Health care field, not aviation, client). Based on all this, and discounting some for "politics", Boeing appears highly likely to be gettin' into some chop over this, I'll bet.
[proper form of law firm name corrected, WR 6-3]
For the present, this SLF/attorney comments that the individual raising these concerns has engaged the services of a truly heavy-hitter attorney. Based only on press reports and absolutely no personal knowledge whatsoever, consider that Attorney Debra Katz, founding partner of Katz Banks Kumin in Washington, has already evidently driven extensive media and press coverage, and arranged for a spotlight appearance before Ccongress.
From the New York Times article: "Mr. Salehpour’s concerns are set to receive an airing on Capitol Hill. Senator Richard Blumenthal, Democrat of Connecticut and the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee’s investigations subcommittee, is planning to hold a hearing with Mr. Salehpour on April 17. Mr. Blumenthal said he wanted the public to hear from the engineer firsthand.
'Repeated, shocking allegations about Boeing’s manufacturing failings point to an appalling absence of safety culture and practices — where profit is prioritized over everything else,' Mr. Blumenthal said in a statement." (internal quotation as in NYT article).
And, according to the law firm's website, Attorney Katz was "[r]ecognized by the Washington Post as 'the feared attorney of the #MeToo movement,' [and she] has been successfully litigating employment discrimination, civil rights, and whistleblower protection cases for nearly 40 years." (internal quotation as in original)
In my law firm years I had exactly one matter defending claims brought by a D.C. whistleblower legal specialist; there was pretty extensive use of press releases (it was circa 2006) and it was, in a word, a wild ride. (Health care field, not aviation, client). Based on all this, and discounting some for "politics", Boeing appears highly likely to be gettin' into some chop over this, I'll bet.
[proper form of law firm name corrected, WR 6-3]
Last edited by WillowRun 6-3; 9th Apr 2024 at 22:50.
And of course to balance the blood sucking lawyers viewpoint above… the 737 Max has smashed to pieces 346 people.
346 people are dead and unrecognisable due to Boeing mismanagement and failings. And that’s only until the next disaster.
346 people are dead and unrecognisable due to Boeing mismanagement and failings. And that’s only until the next disaster.
No apologist for Boeing here, and if you can point to even one single solitary post within the past 10 years on this forum where I have expressed a viewpoint intended to line my own or anyone else's pockets, do tell.
WR 6-3
I value your lawyerly perspective as it brings additional context to important issues. I hope you continue to contribute to this forum.
I value your lawyerly perspective as it brings additional context to important issues. I hope you continue to contribute to this forum.
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Good luck pal trying to taint the 777 which in 31 years of service has had 8 hull losses where all the deaths were due to either pilot error / input (Asiana SFO, MH370) or external factors (SAM hit over the Ukraine). Zero deaths due to Boeing defects. In terms of years in the sky, the safest plane (if we take into account no Boeing faults in the 3 death-related accidents)
Better have deep pockets for the slander lawsuits against you that will be forthcoming by Boeing - I am strictly referring to the 777 which I have intimate knowledge in.
Enjoy your 15' of fame pal
.
Better have deep pockets for the slander lawsuits against you that will be forthcoming by Boeing - I am strictly referring to the 777 which I have intimate knowledge in.
Enjoy your 15' of fame pal
.
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@ WR 6-3
" The dogs bark but the caravan pass by " ( Arab and French proverb) Do not pay too much attention , your input and legal remarks on this forum are highly appreciated as it gives another side perspective and brings knowledge most of us do not have. .
" The dogs bark but the caravan pass by " ( Arab and French proverb) Do not pay too much attention , your input and legal remarks on this forum are highly appreciated as it gives another side perspective and brings knowledge most of us do not have. .
Pegase Driver
On the CNN web there is a quote from the whistleblower
If true and can be sustained by a video or by more witnesses , then this will become another nightmare for the Boeing PR team .
But it it is all made up to attract attention and cannot be sustained , then we enter another game .
“I literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align,” Salehpour said. “By jumping up and down, you’re deforming parts so that the holes align temporarily … and that’s not how you build an airplane.”
But it it is all made up to attract attention and cannot be sustained , then we enter another game .
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iirc this incident involved the APFDS in a mode that would not provide speed protection. I’ve seen posters adorned to walls warning of the A/T speed trap. The use of the word TRAP is telling. I believe there is /was a mod to change the logic.
To simply say pilot error is somewhat simplistic imho.
On the CNN web there is a quote from the whistleblower
If true and can be sustained by a video or by more witnesses , then this will become another nightmare for the Boeing PR team .
But it it is all made up to attract attention and cannot be sustained , then we enter another game .
If true and can be sustained by a video or by more witnesses , then this will become another nightmare for the Boeing PR team .
But it it is all made up to attract attention and cannot be sustained , then we enter another game .
Another way: if he remembers the day it happened, maybe the airframe(s) can be identified and that particular part inspected for evidence?
Good luck pal trying to taint the 777 which in 31 years of service has had 8 hull losses where all the deaths were due to either pilot error / input (Asiana SFO, MH370) or external factors (SAM hit over the Ukraine). Zero deaths due to Boeing defects. In terms of years in the sky, the safest plane (if we take into account no Boeing faults in the 3 death-related accidents)
Better have deep pockets for the slander lawsuits against you that will be forthcoming by Boeing - I am strictly referring to the 777 which I have intimate knowledge in.
Enjoy your 15' of fame pal
.
Better have deep pockets for the slander lawsuits against you that will be forthcoming by Boeing - I am strictly referring to the 777 which I have intimate knowledge in.
Enjoy your 15' of fame pal
.
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Good luck pal trying to taint the 777 which in 31 years of service has had 8 hull losses where all the deaths were due to either pilot error / input (Asiana SFO, MH370) or external factors (SAM hit over the Ukraine). Zero deaths due to Boeing defects. In terms of years in the sky, the safest plane (if we take into account no Boeing faults in the 3 death-related accidents)
Better have deep pockets for the slander lawsuits against you that will be forthcoming by Boeing - I am strictly referring to the 777 which I have intimate knowledge in.
Enjoy your 15' of fame pal
.
Better have deep pockets for the slander lawsuits against you that will be forthcoming by Boeing - I am strictly referring to the 777 which I have intimate knowledge in.
Enjoy your 15' of fame pal
.
Good luck pal trying to taint the 777 which in 31 years of service has had 8 hull losses where all the deaths were due to either pilot error / input (Asiana SFO, MH370) or external factors (SAM hit over the Ukraine). Zero deaths due to Boeing defects. In terms of years in the sky, the safest plane (if we take into account no Boeing faults in the 3 death-related accidents)
Not fatal but it had those battery fires early on.
I've read your posts for most of that decade and have never seen the slightest indication that you've done any such thing. You're a valuable contributor to these conversations.
Multiple news sources are reporting that the whistleblower is alleging problems with both the 787 and 777.
I thought the problem of 787 fuselage section mating tolerances was known and already addressed.
I thought the problem of 787 fuselage section mating tolerances was known and already addressed.