Boeing Faces Whistleblower Allegations, Raising Safety Concerns

Boeing, the American aerospace manufacturer, is facing serious allegations from a whistleblower regarding safety and quality concerns in the production of its 787 and 777 jets. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating these claims, which were made by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour. Salehpour alleges that he faced retaliation after identifying engineering problems that compromised the structural integrity of the jets, and that Boeing employed shortcuts during assembly to reduce bottlenecks.

These allegations come at a time when Boeing is already dealing with a safety crisis that has damaged its reputation. In January, a mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX plane caused a significant setback for the company. As a result, Boeing has undergone a management shakeup, faced production restrictions from U.S. regulators, and experienced a significant decrease in deliveries.

The FAA’s investigation into Salehpour’s claims is a critical step in ensuring aviation safety. The agency emphasizes the importance of voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal and promises to thoroughly investigate all reports. The FAA has already met with Salehpour and will consider the documentation he provided when making their findings.

Salehpour’s allegations include witnessing shortcuts used by Boeing during the assembly process of the 787, which placed excessive stress on major airplane joints and resulted in drilling debris being embedded between key joints on over 1,000 planes. He also observed misalignment issues in the production of the 777, which were resolved by using force. These revelations raise serious concerns about Boeing’s commitment to safety and quality control.

The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) has confirmed that Salehpour is a member who works at Boeing’s plant in Everett, Washington. However, the union cannot comment on the specifics of Salehpour’s concerns at this time.

In response to the allegations, Boeing released a statement asserting its full confidence in the 787 Dreamliner and claiming that Salehpour’s claims are inaccurate. The company maintains that it has taken comprehensive measures to ensure the quality and long-term safety of its aircraft.

The Senate investigation subcommittee, led by U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, has scheduled a hearing on April 17 to examine Boeing’s broken safety culture and hear firsthand accounts from Salehpour. Blumenthal has expressed his desire for Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun to testify at a future hearing as well.

Boeing has offered to provide documents, testimony, and technical briefings to the senate subcommittee. Salehpour has submitted documentation to the FAA, which will be made available during the hearing. According to Salehpour’s lawyers, he warned Boeing about the issues he observed during his work on the 787 program in 2021, but the company prioritized getting the planes to market quickly instead of addressing these concerns.

The FAA has taken a firm stance on Boeing since the January incident, imposing restrictions on the production of the 737 MAX and requiring the development of a comprehensive plan to address quality-control issues. Additionally, the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating whether Boeing violated a settlement that protected the company from prosecution following two fatal crashes involving the 737 MAX in 2018 and 2019.

Boeing’s reputation and credibility are at stake as these allegations and investigations unfold. The company must address these concerns and demonstrate its commitment to safety and quality control. The aviation industry and the public deserve transparency and reassurance that Boeing is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its aircraft.