The Federal Aviation Administration on Monday announced an investigation into the Boeing Dreamliner after the plane maker announced that some employees committed “misconduct” by claiming some tests had been completed. announced that it had started.
The FAA will investigate whether Boeing completed inspections to ensure proper adhesion and grounding of the wing-to-fuselage joints of certain 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and whether Boeing employees may have tampered with aircraft records. He said he is investigating whether there is any sexual activity.
“At the same time, Boeing is re-inspecting all 787s still in production and must also develop plans to address aircraft in service,” the agency said.
Boeing stock closed about 1% lower at $178.35 on Monday.
Asked for comment, Boeing provided an April 29 email from Scott Stocker, head of the company’s 787 program, to employees in South Carolina, where the 787 is assembled.
Stocker said in an email that an employee witnessed what appeared to be an anomaly during a mandatory compliance test on the 787.
In an email, Stocker said that after receiving the report, “we immediately reviewed the matter and found that several individuals had violated the company’s policy of not performing required testing and recording work as completed. It became clear,” he said.
Stocker said Boeing “immediately notified the FAA of what we learned and is working with multiple employees to take swift and serious corrective action.”
He added: “Our technical team has assessed that this misconduct does not pose an immediate risk to flight safety.”
Boeing said in April that it expected production rates and delivery growth for its wide-body 787 Dreamliner to slow as it deals with supplier shortages for “several critical components.”
Boeing quality engineers recently criticized some of the manufacturing practices for the 787 and 777 widebody programs, testifying before Congress last month.
The Department of Justice is conducting a criminal investigation into the Jan. 5 mid-air emergency involving a Boeing 737 MAX 9.
The National Transportation Safety Board said four key bolts appear to be missing from the plane, which was delivered by Boeing several months ago. Boeing said it believes the required documentation detailing the bolt removal was not produced.
