Boeing has recently flagged a concern that might push back the delivery schedule for some of its 737 Max jets. On February 1, the company received a notification from one of its suppliers about a potential issue with the fuselage of 50 undelivered aircraft, specifically relating to rivet holes that might not align precisely with Boeing’s stringent requirements.
The heart of the matter lies in what Boeing refers to as “nonconformance” in the fuselage assembly process. The identified problem, involving inaccurately drilled rivet holes, has raised questions about the potential impact on the near-term delivery of about 50 737 Max planes. Despite the concern, Boeing has assured that this does not pose an immediate threat to flight safety, allowing all 737 Max aircraft to remain operational without interruption.
Stan Deal, the chief of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, communicated to employees the importance of addressing this issue head-on. In his message, Deal emphasized Boeing’s unwavering commitment to delivering flawless aircraft and acknowledged that rework would be necessary on the affected planes. This commitment underscores the company’s dedication to quality and safety, even if it means facing delays in deliveries.
Quality Assurance in the Spotlight
The spotlight on the 737 Max program’s quality assurance practices has intensified following an incident on (January 5), where an Alaska Airlines Max 9 experienced a mid-flight door plug blowout, leaving a significant hole in the aircraft’s side. Thankfully, the pilots managed a safe landing without any injuries. This event has led to heightened scrutiny and regulatory investigations into Boeing’s quality control measures, with over 170 Max 9s undergoing inspections for similar door plug concerns. As of (January 27), major operators like Alaska and United Airlines have resumed service of the aircraft type after completing necessary inspections.
In response to these challenges, Boeing’s Renton, Washington facility will dedicate several days to enhancing quality focus across the 737 Max program. Deal has also expressed the frustrations voiced by employees regarding the impact of incomplete work from Boeing and its suppliers on the production line. In a move to uphold high-quality standards, Boeing has instructed a major supplier, believed to be Spirit AeroSystems based on media reports, to pause shipments until all specifications are fully met. This step, although affecting the production schedule, aims to boost overall quality and stability within the production process.
Source: FlightGlobal
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