Boeing, the aerospace company, has come under fire once again as the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has opened an investigation into the company. This investigation comes after reports surfaced that workers at a Boeing plant in South Carolina falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes. The company reportedly notified the FAA of the misconduct, stating that it did not pose an immediate safety of flight issue.
Details of the Misconduct
According to Scott Stocker, who leads the 787 program at Boeing, an irregularity was observed during a required test of the wing-to-body join at the South Carolina plant. It was discovered that several employees had been violating company policies by not performing the required test but still recording the work as completed. Boeing has taken swift and serious corrective action with multiple employees involved in the falsification of records. As a result of this misconduct, the delivery of jets from the final assembly plant in North Charleston may be delayed.
The FAA has weighed in on the situation, stating that Boeing must now create a plan to address the planes that have already been flying. The agency is investigating whether Boeing completed the necessary inspections and if company employees intentionally falsified aircraft records. This latest incident adds to the mounting pressure on Boeing, which has faced criticism and scrutiny following previous accidents involving its aircraft.
Boeing has been under intense scrutiny since a door plug blew out of a Boeing 737 Max aircraft earlier this year. This incident, which occurred during an Alaska Airlines flight, raised concerns about the safety and reliability of Boeing’s planes. The company has also faced backlash for its handling of the two deadly crashes involving its Max jets in 2018 and 2019, which resulted in the loss of 346 lives. The families of the victims have been vocal in their demand for justice, pushing for the revival of criminal charges against Boeing.
In addition to the falsification of inspection records, Boeing has been accused of taking manufacturing shortcuts to expedite the production of its 787 aircraft. A whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, testified at a congressional hearing about the alleged shortcuts taken by the company. Salehpour’s claims are not directly related to the recent misconduct involving inspection records, but they have further tarnished Boeing’s reputation.
Boeing’s reputation has been tarnished once again as it faces an investigation by the FAA for falsifying inspection records. The company’s handling of this situation, along with previous incidents involving its aircraft, will be closely scrutinized in the days ahead. It remains to be seen how Boeing will address these challenges and regain the trust of regulators, customers, and the flying public.