Boeing to the ‘Max’?
Boeing is facing production challenges with its 737Max aircraft. It’s been reported that they found another problem with the aircraft already in operation but believe they can still operate. Are these challenges cause for concern?
Last week in our full article, ‘Five Years After the Boeing 737 MAX Disasters — Who’s at Fault?’, we took a look at who is to be blamed for what led to two separate accidents involving Boeing 737 Max aircraft, with disastrous outcomes. In that article, we stated that:
On one hand, the fingers are pointed at Boeing for its lax safety policy and nonchalant attitudes toward safety regulations. While on the other hand, they are those who blame the regulators themselves (the federal aviation administration) for condoning this kind of contemptuous attitude towards the rules. There are still others that believe that both sides are to be blamed, and while of the two parties, Boeing being the one that suffered the most financially because of these disasters, the FAA has a role to play here as well.
It is primarily the financial and operational setbacks for Boeing that we would like to share some articles and stories on. Particularly as it relates to the production and delivery of the modified — to correct for problems that led to the disasters — of Boeing 737 Max aircraft.
In this week’s Digest, we would like to share some articles and stories on how Boeing is coping with the challenges it’s faced with getting production back online and delivering the modified aircraft to its customers as promised.
For further reading on Boeing see: ‘Boeing Back In The Game?’, ‘Boeing: What have you and yours been up to?’, and ‘Five Years After the Boeing 737 MAX Disasters — Who’s at Fault?’
Boeing discovers new issue with 737 Max jets but says they can continue flying
Boeing said it has discovered a manufacturing issue with some 737 Max aircraft, although it insisted the problem is not “an immediate safety of flight issue.” A supplier used a “non-standard manufacturing process” during the installation of two fittings in the rear fuselage, Boeing said in a statement to CNN. The company said Max jets can continue flying while inspections are underway and the Federal Aviation Administration said it “validated” that conclusion. It already subjects new 737 Max aircraft to greater scrutiny than it does other newly manufactured planes prior to delivery following two fatal 737 Max crashes. Boeing declined to say how many 737 Max planes are affected, beyond calling it a “significant number.” Shares are down nearly 6% in premarket trading.
By Greg Wallace and Jordan Valinsky | CNN Business
Boeing Detects Manufacturing Issues with 737 Max, Likely to Impact Fleet Expansion of Air India and Akasa Air
Apr. 24 — Aviation giant Boeing has detected several issues with the manufacturing of 737 Max planes which could affect the deliveries required for the fleet expansion of Indian airlines like Air India and Akasa Air. The development came after Boeing discovered that a supplier used a “non-standard manufacturing process” during the installation of the rear fuselage. Boeing has assured that the 737 Max planes are still fit for flying but the discovery of manufacturing issues can delay the deliveries. Spirit AeroSystems, a major supplier of Boeing, responsible for producing the fuselage of the Boeing 737 MAX, has recently informed Boeing about a “non-standard manufacturing process” used for fitting two parts on the vertical tail of the aircraft.
By Mint, New Delhi (TNS)
Boeing 737 MAX production ramp up will continue despite delivery pause
April 18 (Reuters) — Boeing Co (BA.N) still plans to ramp up production of its best-selling 737 MAX passenger jet this summer, despite a recent manufacturing problem that has paused some deliveries, the planemaker’s CEO Dave Calhoun said on Tuesday. Last week, Boeing indicated that near-term deliveries of the 737 MAX will slow as the company grapples with a new manufacturing problem involving fuselages built by Spirit AeroSystems (SPR.N).
By Valerie Insinna and Nathan Gomes | Reuters
Boeing warns production problem will likely slow deliveries of 737 Max planes
April 14 (CNBC) — Boeing on Thursday warned it will likely have to reduce deliveries of its 737 Max airplane in the near term because of a problem with a part made by supplier Spirit AeroSystems. Boeing said its supplier informed the company a “non-standard” manufacturing process was used on two fittings in aft fuselages. It said the issue affects certain 737 Max 8 planes, the company’s most popular model, with customers including American Airlines and Southwest Airlines. It also affects certain 737 Max 7, the 737 8200 and P-8 planes. Boeing said the problem was not an “immediate safety of flight issue and the in-service fleet can continue operating safely.“
By Sara Salinas | CNBC
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Thank you for reading this week’s On Aviation™ digest. It’s been five years since the first 737 max accident. How long do you believe it will take for Boeing to finally get this behind them? Please share your thoughts in the comments below, and remember to continue the conversation on our Twitter and Instagram.
Orlando — On Aviation™
