Sam Salehpour, a Boeing quality engineer, warns that the 787 Dreamliner could “fall apart at the joints” due to structural issues, despite Boeing’s claims of the plane’s safety.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Sam Salehpour, a seasoned quality engineer at Boeing, has voiced serious concerns about the structural integrity of the 787 Dreamliner, suggesting that the aircraft could potentially “fall apart” due to significant gaps in the fuselage. Salehpour, who has dedicated fifteen years to Boeing, is set to bring these issues to light during a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing on April 17.
In a recent interview with NBC News, Salehpour explained that the gaps between joined sections of the fuselage are larger than Boeing’s specifications allow. He warned that these defects could lead to fatigue failure after thousands of flights, posing severe risks to the aircraft’s safety at high altitudes.
Boeing has countered these claims, asserting that the allegations about the 787’s structural integrity are unfounded. The company emphasized that their testing and inspections have consistently validated the safety and durability of the aircraft. According to Boeing, only about one percent of all gaps inspected failed to meet their stringent specifications, as reported by the New York Times.
Despite Boeing’s reassurances, Salehpour remains skeptical and has recommended grounding the entire global fleet of 1,100 787s for a comprehensive inspection of the gap sizes. He expressed his personal reluctance to fly on the 787 under the current conditions, citing unresolved safety concerns.
Salehpour’s allegations come amidst broader scrutiny of Boeing’s safety practices. The aircraft manufacturer has faced federal investigations following incidents involving other models, including the 737 Max 9. A recent emergency landing by an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9, which resulted in passenger injuries due to rapid cabin depressurization, has only heightened concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing processes.
The FAA has identified several non-compliance issues within Boeing’s operations, particularly with its fuselage supplier, Spirit Aerosystems. These findings were part of a six-week audit that revealed failures in manufacturing quality control, parts handling, storage, and product control.
As Boeing defends its practices, the upcoming Senate hearing, titled “Examining Boeing’s Broken Safety Culture: Firsthand Accounts,” promises to shed further light on the internal challenges and safety concerns faced by the company. Other experts, including former Boeing engineer Ed Pierson, will also testify, potentially reinforcing Salehpour’s claims about the risks associated with Boeing’s manufacturing shortcuts.
Salehpour’s plight has been further complicated by claims of retaliation from Boeing after he raised his concerns internally. According to his attorney, Debra S. Katz, Salehpour was excluded from key meetings and faced threats from his supervisor after voicing his safety worries. A detailed letter to FAA administrator Michael Whitaker from Katz outlined the “safety issues” related to Boeing’s manufacture of the 787 and 777 planes, underscoring the gravity of the allegations.
As this situation unfolds, the aviation industry and regulatory bodies may need to take closer action to address these potentially serious safety risks associated with one of the world’s most widely used aircraft.