Boeing is currently conducting a thorough examination of fasteners on some 787 Dreamliner jets that remain undelivered, after identifying installation issues during a routine quality check. The aerospace manufacturer, which has been under increased regulatory scrutiny due to recent incidents and ongoing manufacturing challenges, reassured that the affected planes do not include those already in service, emphasizing their safety for continued operation.
“Our 787 team is checking fasteners in the side-of-body area of some undelivered 787 Dreamliner airplanes to ensure they meet our engineering specifications,” Boeing stated, identifying the issue as incorrectly torqued fasteners.
The focus of Boeing’s internal review is to determine whether any rework is necessary on the planes still in their inventory. Despite the issue, Boeing confirmed that deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner will proceed without significant delays. “787 Dreamliner deliveries have not been paused and that it expects ‘limited to no impact on deliveries,'” the company added.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is also involved, with a statement highlighting the seriousness of the issue: “Boeing disclosed that it may have improperly installed fuselage fasteners on some 787 Dreamliner aircraft,” and that the FAA is actively investigating to ensure swift corrective measures in Boeing’s production system.
This latest concern is part of a broader context of scrutiny Boeing faces, following a troubling incident in January involving an Alaska Airlines flight and whistleblower allegations pointing to safety oversights. The FAA has since heightened its oversight of Boeing, as expressed by FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker during a Senate panel update. Whitaker committed to ongoing rigorous oversight, asserting the agency’s dedication to “continue to hold them accountable for producing and delivering safe aircraft.”
In another recent Senate panel, Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour testified about manufacturing issues on the 787 Dreamliner, including unacceptable gaps between parts that could pose severe risks. However, Boeing has countered these claims, pointing to extensive testing that asserts the jet’s safety, highlighting the company’s commitment to quality and regulatory compliance.