Boeing Faces Additional Safety Concerns on 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner
Boeing continues to grapple with safety concerns as the Federal Aviation Administration highlights more issues on its 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft. The latest developments add to the ongoing challenges faced by the aircraft manufacturer.
The Federal Aviation Administration has identified additional safety concerns with two problematic families of Boeing planes. These concerns involve the engine anti-ice systems on the 737 Max and the larger 787 Dreamliner. Although the FAA initially brought attention to these issues in a filing in mid-February, they gained more visibility due to a Seattle Times article published on Friday.
The safety regulator is allowing both models of the plane to continue flying despite potential problems. This indicates that the issues are not deemed serious enough to warrant immediate grounding through an emergency process.
Boeing is currently dealing with another safety concern, following a recent incident where a door plug on a 737 Max blew out during an Alaska Air flight. This comes after a series of problems over the last five years, including two fatal crashes in late 2018 and early 2019, resulting in a 20-month grounding of the jet.
De-icing equipment plays a crucial role all year round. Even in the summer months, when you might think it's not as important, commercial jets fly at high altitudes where temperatures are cold and through clouds with high moisture levels. This makes de-icing equipment essential throughout the year.
Dennis Tajer, an American Airlines pilot and a spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, emphasized that Mother Nature's seasons do not guarantee your safety. Airworthiness directives are only issued when there is an unsafe condition that needs to be addressed. Tajer stated that while the issue may be manageable temporarily, it is not a long-term solution.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has warned that a newly disclosed issue with the Max could lead to the jet's engines failing. Specifically, an electrical problem could cause a loss of thrust in both engines due to damage from operating in icy conditions. The solution involves replacing wiring in a panel located above the pilots' heads.
Three years ago, during a Boeing engineering analysis, an issue was uncovered. According to Jessica Kowal, a Boeing spokeswoman, this issue has never been observed in decades of service for both current and previous generations of 737. The company promptly informed airlines and the FAA about the problem and offered a solution.
In 2021, the discovery of the issue coincided with Boeing's decision to ground some Max planes due to a separate electrical issue. Following a nearly two-year grounding period caused by two fatal crashes, the Boeing Max had just recently resumed service and underwent a thorough analysis of its electrical system.
Another concern has arisen regarding the Dreamliner aircraft. The FAA recently announced a new problem with the 787 Dreamliner involving an anti-icing issue. Specifically, a damaged seal could potentially lead to heat damage to an engine inlet, posing a serious risk to the safety of the aircraft.
In 2018, a piece of an engine cowling from an older 737 jet broke off and shattered a window on a Southwest Airlines flight. The passenger beside the window, Jennifer Riordan, 43, was pulled out through the broken window. Although other passengers managed to bring her back in, she unfortunately passed away due to injuries from the impact.
Boeing is currently in the process of redesigning the part on the 787 Dreamliner engine to avoid similar incidents in the future, according to Kowal. She mentioned that the problem was only found on less than twenty of the more than 1,000 Dreamliners currently in operation.
The FAA did not consider either problem to be a production quality issue. Boeing is currently concentrating on addressing production quality after the incident in January when a tire blew out during a flight.
The FAA orders have not been implemented yet, but they will impact approximately 315 aircraft, including both Max and Dreamliner models.
Boeing faced backlash from lawmakers when it was revealed that they had requested the FAA to certify new models of the 737 Max, despite a known flaw in the anti-ice system. As a result, Boeing decided to withdraw the request, causing a delay in the delivery of the new planes to its airline customers.
But it continues to build existing models of the jet with the same engine de-icing flaw that is delaying certification of the next Max versions.
FILE PHOTO: The fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX, which was forced to make an emergency landing with a gap in the fuselage, is seen during its investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Portland, Oregon, U.S. January 7, 2024. NTSB/Handout via REUTERS./File Photo
In this photo, we can see the fuselage plug area of Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 Boeing 737-9 MAX. This airplane had to make an emergency landing because there was a gap in the fuselage. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is investigating the incident in Portland, Oregon, U.S. The photo was taken on January 7, 2024, and was released by NTSB/Handout via Reuters.
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Boeing has faced criticism not only for the de-icing equipment problem but also for concerns about the quality and safety protocols at its manufacturing facilities.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the incident and has discovered that when the plane departed a Boeing factory in October, it was missing four bolts necessary to secure the door plug.
The FAA has requested Boeing to create a plan to enhance its quality controls for aircraft manufacturing.
The Justice Department is looking into whether the recent incident violates a settlement made in 2021. This settlement was reached to defer prosecution on charges that Boeing defrauded the FAA during the initial certification of the 737 Max, which led to two fatal crashes and a 20-month grounding of the plane.
The blame or fault for the door plug incident on the Alaska Air flight has not been determined by the NTSB yet. This may take a year or more for the investigation to conclude. However, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted to investors in January that they were responsible for the issue. Regardless of the eventual findings, Boeing takes accountability for the incident.
Editor's P/S:
The ongoing safety concerns surrounding Boeing's 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner aircraft raise serious questions about the company's commitment to passenger safety. Despite the FAA allowing both models to continue flying, the potential for engine failures and heat damage to the engine inlet is deeply concerning. Boeing's past history of fatal crashes and production quality issues adds further fuel to the fire, leaving one to wonder if the company has genuinely learned from its mistakes.
It is imperative that Boeing and the FAA prioritize safety above all else. The lives of countless passengers depend on the integrity of these aircraft and the systems that keep them aloft. Thorough investigations, stringent quality controls, and immediate action to address these issues are crucial. Boeing must take full responsibility for its shortcomings and demonstrate a genuine commitment to rebuilding trust with the public and its customers. Failure to do so will only further erode confidence in the company and its products.
