Boeing has been under scrutiny regarding safety and quality concerns about its planes, particularly its 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets. The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating allegations made by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour about shortcuts taken during the manufacturing process that may lead to catastrophic failures as the planes age. Salehpour is set to be a key witness at a Senate hearing, and Boeing is working to address these concerns to protect its reputation and reassure the public.
The 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019 resulted in the deaths of 346 people and a 20-month grounding of the jet, further damaging Boeing’s reputation for safety and quality. More recently, a door plug incident on a 737 Max flight raised further questions about the safety of Boeing planes. There have been claims that employees are reluctant to raise safety concerns for fear of retaliation, further adding to the issues faced by the company.
Boeing executives have stated that the number of employee tips about quality and safety issues has increased since the Alaska Air incident, showing a positive trend of employees speaking up about potential problems. Stress tests conducted on Boeing planes simulate far more flights than they will actually experience in service, and real-world inspections have not shown evidence of fatigue in the planes even after many years of use.
Salehpour’s complaint focuses on gaps in the fuselage of the planes, alleging that improper filling of these gaps could lead to premature wear and catastrophic failure. Boeing and the FAA have acknowledged the issues with the gaps but have stated that inspections have not shown problems in the operation of the planes. Changes have been made to the standards for the size of the gaps, with Boeing describing the original hyper-conservative standards as difficult to meet.
Boeing is working to address safety and quality concerns about its planes, particularly in response to the allegations raised by Salehpour. The company is encouraging employees to report any issues or improvement ideas, and stress tests are being conducted to ensure the planes can withstand the demands of regular operation. While there have been challenges and setbacks, Boeing is committed to ensuring the safety and reliability of its aircraft through thorough inspections and adherence to stringent standards.
