US authorities are studying information about problems with the fuselage of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner – Kommersant

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a new investigation into Boeing. This time the regulator will check the statements of the company’s former engineer Sam Salehpour, who assertsthat sections of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner fuselage are not properly secured to each other. As a result, according to the informant, over time, parts of the fuselage may fall off during flight.

Engineer Sam Salehpour, who worked for Boeing for about ten years, detailed his allegations in an interview with the newspaper and also filed a corresponding complaint with the FAA. A representative of the regulator confirmed receipt of the request and said that an investigation had been launched.

According to the engineer, problems with fastening the sections are due to the fact that parts of the fuselage over time began to be manufactured by several Boeing suppliers. And these parts do not quite match in shape at the joints.

Boeing denies there are problems with the Dreamliner fuselage. A company spokesman said a team of engineers conducted a comprehensive analysis to determine whether fuselage wear problems might arise in the long term. “These statements regarding the structural integrity of the Boeing 787 are inaccurate and do not reflect the comprehensive work Boeing has done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft,” the company said in a statement.

Boeing’s problems this year began on January 6, when the airline’s 737 MAX 9 Alaska Airlines was forced to urgently return to Portland Airport. At an altitude of about 5 km, the hatch plug in the middle of the cabin fell off, which led to depressurization of the airliner. Following this incident, Boeing 737 MAX 9 flights were grounded for several weeks.

During the checks that followed the incident It revealedthat the hatch covers on many Boeing 737s were installed improperly. Also on liners showed up and other problems with the fuselage.

Recently it became known about investigation FAA of an incident involving a Southwest Airlines 737-800 in which an engine fairing came off during takeoff. This was the fourth incident involving a Boeing 737-800 in the past month.

Kirill Sarkhanyants