Boeing has recently stopped deliveries of some 737 MAXs due to a supplier quality issue with Spirit AeroSystems. This problem could have implications dating back to 2019 and may impact a significant number of undelivered 737 MAX airplanes both in production and in storage. As a result, Boeing’s 737 MAX deliveries could be lowered in the near future.
Upon the announcement of this new issue, Boeing shares fell 5.3%, and shares of Spirit AeroSystems fell 11.8% in after-hours trade. The problem affects a portion of the 737 MAX family of airplanes, including the MAX 7, MAX 8, and MAX 8200 airplanes, as well as the P-8 Poseidon maritime surveillance aircraft based on the 737 NG. However, Boeing has assured that it is not a safety-of-flight issue, and in-service planes can continue to operate.
FAA’s Stance on the Issue
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has “validated” Boeing’s assessment that there is no immediate safety issue “based on the facts and data Boeing presented.” The agency will evaluate all affected aircraft before delivery. The problem involves the installation of two fittings that join the aft fuselage made by Spirit to the vertical tail, which were not attached correctly to the structure of the fuselage before it was sent to Boeing. Certain versions of the aircraft, like the MAX 9, use fittings from different suppliers and were correctly installed.
Timeline and Impact
Boeing was officially notified about the problem by Spirit on Wednesday. However, the problem is believed to date back to 2019, and the company is still determining how many aircraft could be impacted. Boeing has not commented on whether the problem will force it to roll back plans to boost 737 production this year as it races to deliver at least 400 MAXs in 2023. The company, which announced deliveries of 111 MAXs over the first quarter, had aimed to increase monthly MAX production rates from 31 to 38 by June.
Working Toward a Solution
“We have notified the FAA of the issue and are working to conduct inspections and replace the non-conforming fittings where necessary,” Boeing said. “We regret the impact that this issue will have on affected customers and are in contact with them concerning their delivery schedule.” United Airlines stated that, after discussions with Boeing, “at this time we do not expect any significant impact on our capacity plans for this summer or the rest of the year.”
Spirit is currently developing an inspection and repair process for the affected fuselages. Officials have mentioned that the FAA is likely to issue an airworthiness directive that would mandate an inspection and repair regime. The FAA has been closely scrutinizing Boeing aircraft since two fatal plane crashes in 2018 and 2019. The FAA continues to inspect each 737 MAX and 787 aircraft before an airworthiness certificate is issued and cleared for delivery. Typically, the FAA delegates airplane ticketing authority to the manufacturer.
The recent halt in deliveries of some 737 MAXs due to a supplier quality issue with Spirit AeroSystems has put Boeing in a challenging position. While the company is working diligently to conduct inspections and replace non-conforming fittings, the issue has the potential to impact a significant number of undelivered 737 MAX airplanes. The FAA’s close scrutiny of Boeing aircraft, following the two fatal plane crashes in 2018 and 2019, adds another layer of complexity to the situation. As Boeing navigates through this issue, it remains focused on minimizing the impact on its customers and maintaining its commitment to safety and quality.
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