The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently investigating claims from a Boeing engineer regarding potential construction issues with the 787 Dreamliner. The allegations, brought forward by Sam Salehpour, an engineer with over ten years at Boeing, suggest that the assembly practices for the aircraft's fuselage could endanger the structural integrity of the plane. Salehpour has detailed his concerns through multiple interviews and documents submitted to the FAA, as reported by the New York Times.
According to Salehpour, recent changes in the methods used to fit and fasten together sections of the Dreamliner’s fuselage, sourced from various suppliers, have not met proper standards. He argues that the current practices have led to "excessive force being applied to narrow unwanted gaps in the assembly connecting pieces of the Dreamliner’s fuselage,” as stated in the New York Times report. This force, he claims, has caused deformation of the composite materials from which the jetliner is constructed. Such deformation could potentially "increase the effects of fatigue and lead to premature failure of the composite,” Salehpour warns.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, known for its fuel efficiency due to a lighter composite-based airframe, can accommodate between 210 and 330 passengers depending on its configuration. The aircraft’s primary use of composite materials, a blend of substances like carbon and glass fiber, is comparatively novel and poses long-term durability questions under flight-induced stresses known as fatigue.
This investigation comes shortly after a distressing incident involving John Barnett, a former quality manager for the 787 Dreamliner at Boeing’s North Charleston facility, who was found deceased in his vehicle from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The FAA has confirmed the ongoing investigation but has declined to comment on specific details of the case.
According to Salehpour, recent changes in the methods used to fit and fasten together sections of the Dreamliner’s fuselage, sourced from various suppliers, have not met proper standards. He argues that the current practices have led to "excessive force being applied to narrow unwanted gaps in the assembly connecting pieces of the Dreamliner’s fuselage,” as stated in the New York Times report. This force, he claims, has caused deformation of the composite materials from which the jetliner is constructed. Such deformation could potentially "increase the effects of fatigue and lead to premature failure of the composite,” Salehpour warns.
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, known for its fuel efficiency due to a lighter composite-based airframe, can accommodate between 210 and 330 passengers depending on its configuration. The aircraft’s primary use of composite materials, a blend of substances like carbon and glass fiber, is comparatively novel and poses long-term durability questions under flight-induced stresses known as fatigue.
This investigation comes shortly after a distressing incident involving John Barnett, a former quality manager for the 787 Dreamliner at Boeing’s North Charleston facility, who was found deceased in his vehicle from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The FAA has confirmed the ongoing investigation but has declined to comment on specific details of the case.
Amid cover-up of whistleblower John Barnett’s “suicide,” new Boeing whistleblower exposes safety violations in manufacture of 787 Dreamliner
The FAA has confirmed that it is investigating reports by a new Boeing whistleblower of unsafe practices in the manufacture of the 787 Dreamliner.
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