Boeing is currently under investigation by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regarding quality controls on its long-haul model 787 “Dreamliner.” The FAA announced this investigation on Monday after Boeing informed them that connection points between the fuselage and wings on some aircraft may not have been properly checked.
The investigation is looking into whether required inspections were conducted and if audit documents may have been falsified by Boeing employees. Boeing clarified that this issue is not an urgent safety concern for current airline fleets and that no aircraft need to be grounded.
Quality oversight at Boeing has been under scrutiny since a dramatic incident in early January when a fuselage fragment broke off in row 26 of a new Boeing 737-9 Max operated by Alaska Airlines. Fortunately, there were no casualties, but the incident brought attention to potential safety concerns.
Boeing has denied these allegations and defended the quality of its aircraft. However, a US Senate hearing was recently held to discuss the 787 program after a Boeing employee acted as a whistleblower and criticized the large gaps between fuselage parts on many aircraft, possibly shortening their service life.
The company continues to work closely with the FAA and other regulatory bodies to address any concerns and maintain the safety of its aircraft. The investigation into the 787 program is ongoing, but it is unclear what action will be taken against Boeing or its employees if any wrongdoing is found.
