Boeing has encountered another setback in the production of its 737 jets, potentially causing delays for approximately 50 aircraft deliveries. The latest issue involves misdrilled holes in fuselages, a problem identified by a worker at Spirit AeroSystems, a key supplier based in Wichita, Kansas, responsible for manufacturing a significant portion of Boeing Max jets’ fuselages.
In a letter to Boeing staff, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal clarified that while the identified condition does not pose an immediate safety risk, rework will be necessary for around 50 undelivered planes. The problem was brought to light by an employee at the fuselage supplier who raised concerns about two holes possibly not being drilled according to specifications.
This development intensifies the scrutiny on both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems regarding the quality of their work. The spotlight on the companies’ practices increased after an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 was compelled to make an emergency landing on January 5. Following takeoff from Portland, Oregon, a panel known as a door plug blew out of the aircraft’s side, prompting investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA is currently assessing whether Boeing and its suppliers adhered to quality-control procedures. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the only other U.S. carriers operating the Max 9, reported discovering loose hardware in door plugs during inspections conducted after the aforementioned incident. Consequently, the FAA grounded all Max 9s in the U.S., and after two weeks, it approved an inspection and maintenance process for their return to service. Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have since started reintroducing some of the planes into operation.
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In a separate development, Boeing, headquartered in Renton, Washington, recently withdrew a request for a safety exemption required to certify a new, smaller model of the 737 Max airliner. The company had sought approval from federal regulators to deliver its 737 Max 7 airliner to customers, even though it did not meet a safety standard designed to prevent part of the engine housing from overheating and breaking off during flight.
