(Scypre.com) – In a recent escalation of concerns surrounding Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft, whistleblower Sam Salehpour, an engineer at Boeing, has reiterated his warnings about the safety of these jets, urging that they be grounded globally due to potential safety risks. His concerns come amid broader scrutiny over Boeing’s manufacturing processes and the aging of the aircraft fleet.
Salehpour, who has spent over a decade at Boeing, has conveyed these issues through formal channels to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and through media interviews, including with The New York Times and NBC News. In a pointed discussion with NBC, he expressed the gravity of his worries. “I think it’s as serious as I have ever seen in my lifetime,” he stated, suggesting that the entire global fleet of the 787 requires immediate attention.
The focal point of Salehpour’s concerns lies in what he describes as manufacturing shortcuts, particularly in how the jets’ fuselages are assembled. The assembly process, according to Salehpour, involves multiple large segments produced by different manufacturers, which are then joined together. He fears that these joints could fail, particularly as the planes age. “The plane will fall apart at the joints we’re talking about,” he explained to NBC, outlining a catastrophic scenario where a plane could potentially disintegrate mid-flight.
Boeing has responded firmly to these allegations, maintaining that the aircraft is safe. “We are fully confident in the 787 Dreamliner because of the comprehensive work done to ensure the quality and long-term safety of the aircraft,” Boeing told NBC News. The company underscored that the structural integrity claims made by Salehpour are unfounded, adding that ongoing FAA-overseen engineering evaluations have confirmed the aircraft’s safety and longevity.
This controversy comes at a time when Boeing is still navigating the repercussions of past issues, including a significant incident where a door blew off an Alaska Airlines flight in January. The company has recently revamped its leadership team in response to these ongoing challenges.
Salehpour’s report to the FAA highlighted specific concerns about the fuselage’s assembly quality. After voicing these issues, he was transferred to another project within the company, working on the Boeing 777, where he claims to have encountered similar assembly problems. His attorney, Debra S. Katz, has been vocal about these ongoing concerns, emphasizing the need for transparency and safety in aerospace manufacturing.
The whistleblower is set to provide further testimony on these issues before a Senate investigations subcommittee. He will be joined by Ed Pierson, a former Boeing 737 program manager and fellow whistleblower, along with other technical experts.
The FAA, in a statement to FOX Business, emphasized the importance of voluntary reporting in aviation safety. “We strongly encourage everyone in the aviation industry to share information,” the agency noted, adding, “We thoroughly investigate all reports.”
As this situation develops, Boeing remains steadfast in its stance, affirming that any issues that have been raised are continuously monitored under strict regulatory protocols. The company also stressed its policy against retaliation for employees who bring up such concerns, advocating for an open and safe reporting environment within the aerospace sector.