Boeing CEO David Calhoun has been summoned to testify before a Senate subcommittee about safety concerns regarding the company’s jetliners. The inquiry was prompted by new safety-related charges from a whistleblower, Boeing quality engineer Sam Salehpour. Salehpour is expected to detail safety concerns involving the manufacture and assembly of the 787 Dreamliner. The subcommittee warned that these problems could potentially lead to catastrophic safety risks. Boeing has stated that it is cooperating with the inquiry and has offered to provide documents, testimony, and technical briefings. The Federal Aviation Administration is also investigating Salehpour’s allegations.
Salehpour’s concerns, as reported by The New York Times, involve changes to the assembly process of the fuselage of the 787 Dreamliner. Salehpour, who worked on the 787, grew alarmed over shortcuts being taken by Boeing that led to excessive force in the assembly process. These shortcuts were causing deformations in the composite material used in the aircraft’s outer skin. Composite materials, which are layers of plastic reinforced by carbon or glass fibers, can lose their benefits if twisted or deformed, potentially leading to premature failure. Salehpour alleged that these issues could create material fatigue and pose safety risks during flights.
Boeing has responded to Salehpour’s allegations, stating that it is fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner and dismissing concerns about structural integrity as inaccurate. The company maintains that the issues raised in The New York Times story do not present any safety concerns and that the 787 will maintain its service life over several decades. Boeing also emphasized that retaliation is strictly prohibited and that employees are encouraged to speak up when issues arise. The company’s safety record has come under scrutiny following incidents with the 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner, including missing bolts on the 737 Max and quality issues with door plugs on both aircraft.
The Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner have faced production defects that have sporadically affected deliveries and left airlines short of planes during busy travel seasons. The 737 Max was previously involved in a door panel incident where a door blew out over Oregon, leading to concerns about missing bolts securing the panel. The subsequent discovery of missing bolts on other planes operated by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines indicated that quality issues with the door plugs were not limited to one aircraft. Calhoun, the CEO of Boeing, announced his retirement at the end of the year after a series of executive departures and changes within the company. Boeing has been working to address safety concerns and maintain its reputation for quality and safety in the aviation industry.
