Boeing recently faced allegations from one of its engineers, Sam Salehpour, who claimed that the company took shortcuts in the production of its 787 Dreamliner and 777 aircraft. Salehpour stated that excessive stress was being put on airplane joints during assembly, potentially reducing the lifespan of the planes. However, Boeing quickly denied these claims, calling them “inaccurate” and asserting the safety of its planes. Despite the seriousness of these allegations, Boeing stands firm in defending its aircraft quality and safety testing.
Scrutiny Following 737 Max Incident
The scrutiny on Boeing was further intensified following an incident with a 737 Max plane in January, where a door plug blew out at 16,000 feet, endangering passengers. This incident led to the Federal Aviation Administration preventing Boeing from increasing production of the 737 Max. With the 737 Max being Boeing’s bestseller, any safety concerns could have a significant impact on the company’s reputation.
Boeing presented an extensive stress and safety testing process for its 787 Dreamliner, involving 165,000 cycles to simulate flights under varying conditions. The company also subjected the fuselage skin to a 300-pound pendulum strike to assess its durability. These rigorous tests are designed to ensure that the aircraft can withstand the demands of long-term operation without compromising safety.
Allegations of Improper Assembly
Salehpour’s allegations primarily focused on the assembly process of the 787’s carbon composite fuselage, specifically citing improper measurement of gaps and the use of force to align components. He claimed to have witnessed questionable practices, such as people jumping on pieces of the 777 to align them. Despite these allegations, Boeing maintains that its structural integrity and safety standards are not compromised.
In response to Salehpour’s allegations and the subsequent investigation by the FAA, Boeing emphasized its commitment to quality and safety. The company stated that the issues raised have been thoroughly examined and validated by engineering experts under FAA oversight. Additionally, Salehpour’s lawyers alleged that Boeing retaliated against him for speaking out by excluding him from meetings and reassigning him from the 787 program. These claims suggest a possible internal conflict within Boeing regarding the handling of safety concerns.
Overall, the situation raises questions about Boeing’s internal processes and its approach to ensuring the quality and safety of its aircraft. While the company has robust testing procedures in place, the allegations of shortcuts and improper assembly practices cast doubt on its commitment to upholding the highest safety standards. Boeing must address these concerns transparently and take corrective actions to maintain the trust of regulators, customers, and the public.
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