Boeing faces further challenges as it confronts new production glitches in its 737 Max planes, leading to delayed deliveries of approximately 50 undelivered aircraft. The issues were identified by supplier Spirit Aerosystems, which found two incorrectly drilled holes. This setback comes amid heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s manufacturing processes, intensified by a recent incident where part of a plane’s fuselage fell off during a flight. The panel, plugging an unused door hole, fell from an Alaska Airlines flight, prompting concerns about Boeing’s safety procedures. The company had been working to increase production of the 737 Max after its grounding following fatal crashes in 2018 and 2019.
Boeing’s challenges extend beyond technical glitches, with airline customers expressing concerns about ongoing safety issues. Sir Tim Clark, the head of Emirates Airlines, emphasized the need for significant changes at Boeing, stating that the company is in the “last chance saloon” following a “progressive decline” in standards. He called for Boeing to prioritize a safety culture and thorough manufacturing processes over financial returns, echoing criticisms from industry insiders. Boeing’s board is urged to focus on production quality rather than short-term financial metrics.
The newly discovered production issues involve incorrectly drilled holes in fuselages, with 22 affected out of 47 inspected. Spirit Aerosystems, the sole supplier of the 737 Max fuselage, identified the problem, emphasizing that it does not pose an immediate flight safety risk. Boeing’s commercial planes arm CEO, Stan Deal, acknowledged the non-conformance and expressed gratitude to the supplier’s employee who flagged the issue. The incident underscores the ongoing challenges Boeing faces in restoring confidence in its manufacturing practices and ensuring the safety of its aircraft.