Posted on 02/05/2024 3:39:08 PM PST by CondoleezzaProtege
A new problem has been found during the production of 737 Max jets that will force Boeing to rework about 50 planes that have not yet been delivered.
The problem was disclosed in a memo sent to Boeing (BA) employees Sunday by Stan Deal, the head of the company’s commercial aircraft unit. An employee at Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems, which makes the fuselages of the 737 Max jets, notified the plane maker that two holes may not have been drilled exactly to Boeing’s requirements, according to Deal’s memo.
“While this potential condition is not an immediate flight safety issue and all 737’s can continue operating safely, we currently believe we will have to perform rework on about 50 undelivered airplanes,” it said.
Spirit AeroSystems confirmed in a statement that it mis-drilled the holes.
“A member of our team identified an issue that does not conform to engineering standards,” Spirit AeroSystems spokesman Joe Buccino said. “Once notified, we began immediate actions to identify and implement appropriate repair solutions. We are in close communication with Boeing on this matter.”
The news about the mis-drilled holes is just the latest blow to Boeing’s reputation, which has been battered repeatedly over the last five years, most recently by a terrifying accident aboard a 737 Max 9 flight on January 5. And in the wake of that incident, the FAA now says it will be changing the way it oversees Boeing’s manufacturing processes.
An Alaska Airlines flight had a door plug blow out that day, leaving a gaping hole in the side of the plane. While the exact cause of the incident is not yet known, Boeing CEO David Calhoun told investors on Wednesday: “We caused the problem, and we understand that.”
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I’ve had the pleasure of flying in one. The whole time I was thinking “well I’m sure they have all the bugs worked out by now”.
The first batch of 737 as had a flaw where the relay or valve for the rudder would seize up or even cause reverse controls. I believe it lead to two crashes and it was only after a third plane landed safely that the flaw was discovered
Wasn’t the 737 Max also the one with the nosedive problem?
I think the entire Boeing executive staff and board should be required each month to fly coast to coast in one of these max planes at its ceiling.
The DOOR PLUG that boew out was made in Malaysia
Yep, the Max is the one with the MCAS software Boeing never told pilots about. They went woke, now they are going broke.
Not a good thing but it really depends on the location and type of hole.
Have seen wide body aircraft with their entire upper fuselage skins removed from the centerline up with all new skins hand drilled in the field.
Reasonably confident that not every one of those holes was drilled precisely to Boeing specs with no problems
Now, if the holes were for the wing spar attach bolts or engine pylon bolts that could be a problem but that is not likely the case.
The big concern with Boeing is the inexplicable cases of flight critical fasteners not properly fitted , torqued and secured
It seems to me that Boeing either needs to buy back Spirit, or station expert machinists at the Spirit plant to make sure things are done right before delivery to Washington state.
The plug was fine. It was put in in Oklahoma, removed in Washington State, and re-installed without bolts to hold it on.
Can’t blame the Okies or the Malays. Look for the Union label in Seattle.
The holes in the wrong place, however, seems to be an Okie problem.
Why do you think Boeing moved their corporate office to Chicago at the end of the Ubama administration? It was politics pure and simple. It wasn’t the skilled workforce, low crime rate, the quality of life, or Boeing’s manufacturing facilities.
They planned on Democrat ties to Chicago to carry the day even if Bush were to be elected. He’d go along anyway, with his friends Ubama, Valerie Jarret, the Pritzkers and the Emanuels.
Actually that was around the 737-300 / -400 series
I know because I had been flown out to the East Coast for training
The day I landed in Hartford, Connecticut, US Air 427 went down
I still remember the flight ✈️ number beat 30 years later.
Looking at a picture of the plane now, it had the engines characteristic of a 737-300 or later.
The -100 and -200 had the JT8D smaller engines
Boeing is becoming like UAW.
American = crap.
I still remember the flight ✈️ number nearly 30 years later.
Thanks again, autocorrect
Hmm, looks like their safety culture is slipping but luckily their Diversity. Equity and Inclusion grades are off the charts.
They are good to go.
If it’s safe and not an issue why are they reworking it?
With an all DEI crew.
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