Boeing has recently faced allegations from a whistleblower regarding structural flaws in its 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft. Sam Salehpour, the whistleblower, claimed that Boeing took shortcuts during the assembly process, putting excessive stress on airplane joints and potentially reducing the lifespan of the planes. However, Boeing has vehemently denied these allegations, stating that they are inaccurate and that the company stands by the safety of its planes.
The allegations made by Salehpour come at a time when Boeing is already under intense scrutiny following an incident where a door plug blew out of a 737 Max plane in January. This incident, which occurred at 16,000 feet, has led to increased scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), causing them to block Boeing from increasing production of the 737 Max.
To address the allegations made by the whistleblower, Boeing held a two-hour presentation with reporters, during which two engineering managers detailed the stress and safety tests conducted on the 787 Dreamliner. These tests involve putting the plane through 165,000 cycles, each equivalent to a flight, under varying conditions. Additionally, the fuselage skin was struck by a 300-pound pendulum. According to Steve Chisholm, chief engineer for Boeing’s mechanical and structural engineering, damage to fuselage panels was intentionally created in intense tests that were repeated more times than what aircraft would experience in service, and the damage did not grow.
Salehpour’s allegations specifically relate to the spaces where pieces of the carbon composite fuselage of the 787 Dreamliner meet. He claims that Boeing used force to join these pieces together and did not properly measure the gaps. Salehpour and his lawyers sent a letter detailing these allegations to the FAA in January, and the agency is currently investigating the matter.
The whistleblower also stated that he witnessed people “jumping on the pieces” of the 777 aircraft to align them properly. However, Boeing has refuted these claims, stating that they are inaccurate and that they have full confidence in the safety and durability of the 777 family.
It is worth noting that Boeing had previously suspended deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner for nearly two years due to incorrect spacing on certain parts of the fuselage. However, the company asserts that the structural integrity of the plane is not compromised and that it has taken extensive measures to ensure its quality and long-term safety.
In addition to the allegations of structural flaws, Salehpour’s lawyers also claim that Boeing retaliated against him after he voiced his concerns. They allege that he was excluded from meetings and moved off the 787 program onto the company’s 777 plan. Boeing declined to comment on these specific allegations, citing the ongoing whistleblower investigation by the FAA, but emphasized that retaliation is strictly prohibited at the company.
Boeing is set to report its quarterly results on April 24, where it will face investor questions regarding aircraft safety, production rates, and FAA oversight. This will be a crucial moment for the company as it addresses these allegations and seeks to regain trust from investors and the public.
Overall, Boeing is facing a challenging period as it navigates these allegations and works to ensure the safety and integrity of its aircraft. The outcome of the FAA investigation and the company’s actions in response will be closely watched by industry experts and stakeholders alike.
