The Federal Aviation Administration has opened a formal investigation after Boeing notified them that some employees failed to complete specific inspections on some 787 Dreamliners but reported the checks as completed, falsifying inspection records. The inspections verify bonding and grounding of fasteners connecting wings to the fuselage to ensure the plane is grounded against electrical currents like lightning strikes. Around 450 planes may be involved, including 60 still in the production system. Boeing engineers believe there is no immediate safety issue due to redundancies in the plane’s design to protect against lightning strikes.
Boeing notified its employees of the situation in an email from the vice president and general manager of the 787 program, Scott Stocker. Stocker mentioned that the misconduct did not create an immediate safety issue and credited a Boeing South Carolina worker for spotting the irregularity and reporting it, leading to corrective action. The company has a zero-tolerance policy for not following safety procedures. This incident occurred less than two weeks after a Boeing quality engineer testified about concerns he raised about the production of the 787 Dreamliner that were dismissed by management.
The potential number of aircraft involved has not been disclosed by Boeing as they continue to gather information, but the situation indicates a long-term issue. The FAA has not yet determined if there is a safety issue with the 787 or a problem in the production process. Currently, there is no immediate safety concern with Dreamliners in service according to the FAA. The investigation was first reported by the Wall Street Journal, and Boeing is taking swift and serious corrective action to address the situation.
The FAA is taking necessary action to ensure the safety of the flying public as the investigation continues. Boeing engineers believe the 787 Dreamliner’s design has redundancies to protect against issues like lightning strikes, reducing the immediate safety risk. Boeing has a strict policy regarding compliance with safety procedures and is taking corrective action against employees who failed to complete required inspections. The situation was brought to light by a Boeing South Carolina worker and is being thoroughly investigated by both Boeing and the FAA.
This incident adds to previous concerns raised about the production of the 787 Dreamliner, with a Boeing quality engineer testifying about dismissed concerns in front of a Senate subcommittee. The potential number of affected aircraft suggests the issue may have been ongoing for a significant period. Both Boeing and the FAA are working to gather more information and ensure the safety and compliance of the Dreamliner production process. The situation underscores the importance of thorough inspections and adherence to safety protocols in the aerospace industry to prevent potential safety risks for passengers and crew.
