Sun, 29 Jun 2025

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 Boeing's 787 Dreamliner was deemed the 'safest' of planes. The whistleblowers were always less sure

Long before the Air India tragedy, the cause of which is still to be determined, people who had worked on the 787 had raised concerns about the production standards
Some key points mentioned in the article include: 1. Whistleblower testimony: Former Boeing employee Sam Salehpour testified before a senate committee, claiming that the company had introduced shortcuts in assembly processes to speed up production and delivery of the aircraft. 2. Structural integrity concerns: Salehpour also stated that tiny gaps in the joints between sections of fuselage were not properly rectified, which could lead to "premature fatigue failure over time" and create "extremely unsafe conditions for the aircraft". 3. Production problems: The article mentions several incidents where Boeing has been accused of prioritizing profit over passenger safety, including two fatal accidents involving its 737 Max aircraft. 4. Safety record concerns: While Richard Aboulafia, a veteran aerospace analyst, believes that any major issues with the 787 would have already become apparent given its 16 years of operations and over 1 billion passengers flown, other experts have expressed concerns about potential safety risks. Some potential problems mentioned in the article include:
* Water leaks into electrical equipment bays: The FAA instructed airlines to carry out regular inspections following reports that leaks were going undetected on certain 787 models.
* Potential for premature fatigue failure: Salehpour's testimony raised concerns about tiny gaps in the joints between sections of fuselage, which could lead to premature fatigue failure over time. The article concludes by stating that while the cause of the recent Air India crash is still unknown, the 787's safety record remains strong. However, experts emphasize the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of the tragedy and address any potential safety issues. Key takeaways: 1. Boeing has faced criticism for prioritizing profit over passenger safety. 2. Whistleblowers have raised concerns about production problems and shortcuts taken by Boeing during assembly processes. 3. The 787's safety record remains strong, but experts emphasize the importance of a thorough investigation to determine the root cause of recent incidents. 4. Potential issues with water leaks into electrical equipment bays and potential for premature fatigue failure require further attention. Recommendations: 1. Conduct a thorough investigation into the recent Air India crash to determine the root cause and address any potential safety issues. 2. Boeing should prioritize transparency and cooperate fully with regulatory agencies to address concerns about production problems and shortcuts taken during assembly processes. 3. Airlines operating 787 aircraft should be vigilant in inspecting for water leaks and addressing any potential structural integrity issues.
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