Boeing has been in the spotlight recently after one of its engineers, Sam Salehpour, made allegations of shortcuts being taken to speed up production of the 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft. Salehpour claimed that the assembly process for the 787 put excessive stress on airplane joints, potentially reducing the planes’ lifespans. However, Boeing has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that they are “inaccurate” and asserting its confidence in the safety of its planes.
The company’s defense comes ahead of a Senate hearing titled “Examining Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts,” where Salehpour is scheduled to appear alongside another whistleblower, a former aviation official, and an independent safety expert.
Boeing has faced heightened scrutiny following an incident in January where a door plug blew out of a 737 Max plane, prompting the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to block Boeing from increasing production of the aircraft.
In response to the allegations, Boeing engineering managers detailed the rigorous stress and safety tests conducted on the 787, including testing the plane for 165,000 cycles and subjecting the fuselage skin to a 300-pound pendulum. According to Steve Chisholm, chief engineer for Boeing’s mechanical and structural engineering, these tests demonstrated that damage to fuselage panels did not grow, even after repeated testing.
Salehpour’s allegations center around the joining of pieces in the 787’s carbon composite fuselage, claiming that Boeing used force to join the pieces and did not properly measure the gaps. Boeing has stated that these claims are inaccurate and that it remains confident in the safety and durability of the 777 family.
Boeing had previously suspended deliveries of the 787 for nearly two years due to incorrect spacing on some portions of the fuselage. However, the company maintains that these issues have been rigorously examined under FAA oversight and do not present any safety concerns.
Salehpour’s lawyers have also alleged that Boeing retaliated against him after he voiced his concerns, which Boeing has denied, stating that retaliation is strictly prohibited at the company.
Boeing is set to report quarterly results on April 24, where it will likely face questions from investors regarding aircraft safety, production rates, and FAA oversight. Despite the allegations, Boeing continues to stand by the quality and safety testing of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft.
(Source: CNN | Reuters | CNBC)
