Troubled aircraft manufacturer Boeing is investigating another quality issue with its aircraft after finding hundreds of incorrectly installed fasteners on the fuselage of undelivered 787 Dreamliners.
The US company confirmed reports from Reuters that it was checking fasteners on some of its jets following the discovery, but added that planes already in-service could continue to operate as normal.
The error adds to the growing list of issues found with Boeing’s production lines in 2024, which saw the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) step in to oversee the its 737 MAX factory.
The regulator has also been limiting production of the model after a series of incidents and damning reports beginning with the door plug blow out of an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 8 in January.
While previous issues have mainly stemmed from the 737 MAX line in Renton, Washington, the incorrectly fitted fasteners were discovered at Boeing’s South Carolina factory where the 787 exteriors are fitted to skeletal supports on the fuselage.
The safety of the 787 production line had already been called into question by Boeing whistleblower Sam Salehpour who told the US Congress that parts of the aircraft were not being properly joined in a hearing earlier this year, claims which the company had disputed.
Source Airport-Technology
