Warnings Ignored: Boeing Engineer's Alarming Alerts on Dreamliner's Safety Issues
Engineer at Boeing raises concerns over potential security vulnerabilities in Dreamliner aircraft.
The horrific crash of an Air India Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has once again ignited safety worries about these aircraft. Despite the Dreamliner's renowned modernity and safety record, it's now finding itself in a storm of fresh safety concerns.
A Boeing engineer, Sam Salehpour, made some headlines in April last year, as he sounded the alarm about possible safety hazards in the Dreamliner's fuselage sections. The New York Times reported that the fuselage of the Dreamliner might have been improperly connected due to multiple suppliers. This issue can lead to a poor fit and potential structural issues after numerous flights. Boeing retorted, claiming extensive tests were conducted, and no immediate safety concerns were detected.
The age of the crashed Air India plane isn't known yet, but Flightradar24 data suggests it was over a decade old, delivered in 2014. Boeing has sold more than 2,500 787s, with over 1,189 delivered, and 47 handed over to Air India. However, Boeing has grappled with production problems and admitted to delegating too many tasks to external vendors.
Experts suspect that the Dreamliner's recent troubles stem from production and maintenance defects. In January 2021 alone, a section of the cabin wall on an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 9 broke off mid-flight, necessitating an emergency landing. Similar incidents ensued in the following months: in March, a wheel detached from a Boeing 777 during takeoff, and in April, a 737 had to abort takeoff due to engine damage.
Salehpour, a Boeing engineer with 17 years of experience, extensively warned about structural weaknesses and fatigue cracks that might result from forceful alignment of fuselage parts[2][3]. His concerns weren't just limited to the joints; he raised red flags about over 4,800 potentially defective parts installed in Boeing 787s[2]. Despite his repeated warnings, Salehpour claimed his alerts were disregarded[3][4].
Lingering questions about the safety culture and operational oversight at Boeing still persist[3][4]. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) previously investigated similar issues, halting 787 deliveries for nearly two years starting in 2021 due to gaps in fuselage joints[3].
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- Due to the recurring safety concerns about the Dreamliner and the reported improper connection of fuselage sections, it might be prudent for airline regulatory bodies, such as the community policy of aviation departments, to consider implementing stricter quality control measures in vocational training for aerospace engineers as well as increase industry oversight to improve the manufacturing and maintenance processes, ensuring that finance is invested in advanced technology for more thorough inspections.
- Given the lack of immediate action taken on the warnings made by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour regarding structural weaknesses and potential defective parts in the Dreamliner, there should be a strong emphasis in the industry on finance allocation for vocational training programs that prioritize safety awareness and open channels for whistleblowers within Boeing and other aerospace companies, ensuring that employees' concerns are taken seriously and addressed accordingly.
