Boeing discovers new defects in 787 Dreamliner airplanes

*The leading jet manufacturer discloses it has notified the US Federal Aviation Administration to ensure everything is on the upswing while taking greater care when building airplanes

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

World’s leading aircraft manufacturer Boeing’s headaches are apparently moving from its 737 jets to its 787 Dreamliner model.

The aviation firm recently acknowledged that some titanium components designed for the 787 were improperly manufactured over the past three years, agency report said.

ConsumerConnect reports the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is an American wide-body jet airliner manufactured by Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

After dropping its Sonic Cruiser project, Boeing had announced the conventional 7E7 January 29, 2003, which has focused on efficiency.

The company said: “While our investigation is ongoing, we have determined that this does not present an immediate safety of flight concern for the active in-service fleet.”

However, the company was reported to have notified the United States (US) Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) just to make sure everything is on the up and up, agency report said.

Those titanium parts were manufactured for Boeing by a third-party supplier, Italy-based Leonardo SpA.

That company, in turn, purchased the items from Brindisi-based Manufacturing Processes Specification (MPS).

Leonardo SpA in a statement noted that MPS was a qualified Boeing supplier, with which it is no longer working.

Report indicates the components in question include fittings designed to secure the floor beam in a section of the fuselage, fittings, spacers, brackets, and clips in other areas of the airplane.

Meanwhile, in identifying the aircraft with suspect components, Boeing said any undelivered planes would be modified to specifications, and any 787 that is currently in service will go through a review process with Boeing first.

After that, the aircraft will have to receive the all-clear from the FAA.

The company announces it is working to determine how many planes contain the defective part.

Nonetheless, this process could take some time because there are estimated 864 Dreamliners currently in service across the globe.

Most of those are flown by All Nippon Airways (74) and United Airlines (60), report stated.

Other carriers that have the planes in their fleets include Japan Airlines (47), American Airlines (45), Etihad Airways (39), Hainan Airlines (38), Air Canada (37), Qatar Airways (37), British Airways (32), and Air India (27).

We are getting our act together now, says Boeing

The last few years have been anything but good for Boeing, according to report.

Not only did it suffer credibility issues over widespread problems with its 737 Max planes, but the 787 has had its own share of issues in the global aviation industry.

In 2019, it was rated as one of the safest aircraft in the sky, only to have whistleblowers question its safety months later.

Likewise, Boeing announced that three separate flaws found on its 787 Dreamliner aircraft may require further inspections to check for safety in 2020.

In Boeing’s mind, that was then and this is now. The company claims it has its act back on the right path.

“When issues are raised, that is an indication that these efforts are working,” the company said.

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