The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched an investigation into allegations made by a Boeing whistleblower, intensifying the ongoing safety concerns surrounding the aerospace giant's 787 and 777 jets.
Boeing is already grappling with a significant safety crisis following a mid-air panel blowout incident involving a 737 MAX plane on January 5. This incident has led to a management overhaul, production restrictions by U.S. regulators, and a 50% drop in deliveries by March.
Engineer Sam Salehpour has come forward with claims that he faced retaliation, including threats and exclusion from meetings, after highlighting engineering issues that compromised the structural integrity of Boeing's widebody 787 and 777 jets. According to Salehpour, Boeing implemented shortcuts during the 787 assembly process to minimize bottlenecks, which his attorneys describe as placing excessive stress on major airplane joints and embedding drilling debris between key joints on over 1,000 planes.
Boeing had suspended deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner for more than a year until August 2022, following an FAA investigation into quality problems and manufacturing flaws. In 2021, the company acknowledged that some 787 airplanes had improperly sized shims and areas that did not meet skin-flatness specifications.
In response to the allegations, Boeing issued a statement expressing confidence in the 787 Dreamliner and dismissed the claims as inaccurate, emphasizing the company's commitment to the aircraft's quality and long-term safety.
Salehpour also reported misalignment issues in the production of the 777 widebody jet, which were addressed by using force, as he stated, \"I literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align.\"
Following the FAA's confirmation of the investigation, Boeing's shares fell by nearly 2%, closing at $178.12 on Tuesday. The FAA reiterated the importance of voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal, encouraging everyone in the aviation industry to share information to ensure safety.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) confirmed that Salehpour is a member working at Boeing's Everett, Washington plant but declined to comment on his specific concerns.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal's office announced a hearing titled \"Examining Boeing's Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts\" scheduled for April 17. Boeing has pledged to provide necessary documents, testimony, and technical briefings for the senate subcommittee. Salehpour has submitted documentation to the FAA, which will be presented at the hearing.
Salehpour's attorneys criticized Boeing for prioritizing speed over safety, asserting that the company ignored well-substantiated issues in an effort to bring planes to market as quickly as possible.
Reference(s):
Boeing hit with whistleblower allegations, adding to safety concerns
cgtn.com