Boeing's 787 Dreamliner: FAA Probes Whistleblower Claims
Boeing's 777 and 787 Dreamliner jets are under scrutiny due to serious allegations raised by one of their engineers, Sam Salehpour. He has voiced concerns about potential quality issues in these planes, prompting a federal investigation by the FAA.
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Salehpour has brought attention to what he sees as poor workmanship during the production of these aircraft. He believes that if these issues are not addressed, they could lead to significant problems as the planes age.
The New York Times first reported Salehpour's formal complaint, which was filed with the FAA in March 2019. The document was recently leaked to the public, raising further questions about Boeing's manufacturing practices.
In a press release, Salehpour stated, “I am speaking up not to see Boeing fail, but to help it succeed and prevent accidents.” He emphasized the need for Boeing to improve, saying, “Boeing cannot continue as it has been. It must do better, in my opinion.”
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The FAA is taking Salehpour's allegations seriously and has interviewed him as part of its investigation, according to his attorney, Lisa Banks. The agency encourages open reporting in the aviation industry to ensure safety.
Next week, a Senate subcommittee will discuss Salehpour's concerns in a hearing. While Boeing has not responded directly to claims about the 777 model, they have contested the allegations regarding the 787 Dreamliner.
Boeing defended the structural integrity of the 787, stating, “The claims about the structural integrity of the 787 are incorrect and do not reflect the extensive work Boeing has done to ensure the aircraft's quality and long-term safety.”
Salehpour's complaint specifically mentions gaps in the assembly process of the 787 Dreamliner. He alleges that these gaps were not properly filled during assembly, which could lead to increased wear and potentially catastrophic failures.
These concerns are not entirely new, as Boeing and the FAA halted new Dreamliner deliveries for almost two years starting in 2021 to investigate these issues. Boeing claims to have made necessary changes to its manufacturing process, and deliveries have resumed.
The FAA was surprised to learn from Salehpour's complaint that the gap issue had not been fully resolved, as it could significantly reduce the lifespan of the planes.
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