Boeing is under investigation by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) following allegations from a company engineer that safety and quality concerns were dismissed during the production of its 787 and 777 jets. The whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, claims that Boeing overlooked engineering problems affecting the structural integrity of the aircraft, prioritizing production speed over safety.
Salehpour alleges that he faced retaliation after raising these concerns, including threats and exclusion from meetings. He observed that shortcuts were used to reduce bottlenecks in the 787 assembly process, which placed excessive stress on major airplane joints and embedded drilling debris between key joints on more than 1,000 planes. Additionally, he reported misalignment issues in the production of the 777 jet, stating that force was used to remedy the problems. “I literally saw people jumping on the pieces of the airplane to get them to align,” he told reporters.
In response, Boeing expressed full confidence in the safety of the 787 Dreamliner, stating that the claims are inaccurate and do not represent the comprehensive work done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft.
The FAA confirmed the investigation and emphasized that voluntary reporting without fear of reprisal is a critical component of aviation safety. An agency spokesperson noted that they have met with the whistleblower. “We thoroughly investigate all reports,” the FAA stated.
This investigation adds to Boeing’s ongoing safety challenges, including a recent mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX plane in January, which led to a management overhaul and production curbs by regulators. Boeing shares closed down nearly 2 percent at $178.12 following news of the investigation.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal’s office announced that an investigation subcommittee will hold a hearing on Boeing’s issues with Salehpour on April 17, titled “Examining Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts.” Salehpour’s attorneys stated that he has provided documentation to the FAA, which will be made available at the hearing.
The Society of Professional Engineering Employees in Aerospace (SPEEA) acknowledged that Salehpour is a member but declined to comment on his specific concerns. Boeing has offered to provide documents, testimony, and technical briefings to the Senate subcommittee.
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Boeing hit with whistleblower allegations, adding to safety concerns
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