Posted on 03/08/2014 12:55:51 AM PST by rawhide
Boeing Co said on Friday that "hairline cracks" had been discovered in the wings of about 40 787 Dreamliners that are in production, marking another setback for the company's newest jet.
The cracks have not been found on planes that are in use by airlines and therefore posed no safety risk, Boeing said, adding the problem also will not alter Boeing's plans to deliver 110 787s this year.
Wing-maker Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd notified Boeing in February of the problem, which arose after the Japanese company altered its manufacturing process.
He added that the manufacturing change was probably aimed at reducing the weight of the plane, as was the case with the A380.
"If they have to revisit that, it could add weight to the design, though only a modest amount," he said.
Boeing said the 787 cracks occurred in shear ties on wing ribs, and will take one to two weeks to inspect and fix.
Wing ribs run parallel to the fuselage of the plane. The ties, made of aluminum, hold the rib to the skin of the wing and will be replaced with an aluminum part.
"If we find an affected area, we'll correct the issue by trimming out the area and applying a fabricated piece in its place," Alder said.
Boeing declined to discuss the manufacturing change that led to the problem. Mitsubishi wasn't immediately available to comment.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
We cannot build wings in the U.S.A. anymore?
I would never want to fly on a “NEW” production plane, no matter who made it.
Trying to think, but I do not think that I have flown anything but an Airbus in the last 10 to 15 years.
Sadly, that is not a glowing endorsement of the US aviation industry.
From reading the article, you would think that just one wing falling off a plane in flight would be a major problem.
It’s the shear ties, which are replaceable.
“About one-quarter of the 777’s airframe, measured by value, is being manufactured by companies in Japan, Australia, Singapore or South Korea under a program that already has been worth $2 billion to $3 billion to these suppliers.”
Been that way for awhile.
http://www.nytimes.com/1994/02/23/business/worldbusiness/23iht-singair_0.html
Alarmists. They've got two.
And despite all of the problems the 787 has had, it will still turn out to be one of the most successful commercial aircraft in history.
You may want to recheck Airbus safety record vs. Boeing.
The only aircraft I’ve had in-flight concerns about, have been Airbus.
Yeah. Wonder where they’re getting the materials from?
Well, they have identified the problem.
this is the result of countries telling MFGs if you want to sell your product in our country you need to build some of it in the country. Too bad the USA does not have such a policy.
Airbus has lots of its parts made in the US.
OK; that was harsh.
then there is Bertha.......
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