How big are Boeing’s production and safety problems? According to a newspaper report, the US aircraft manufacturer failed more than a third of the US Federal Aviation Administration’s safety tests.
According to a report in the New York Times (“NYT”), US aircraft manufacturer Boeing failed more than a third of the tests carried out by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on the 737 MAX.
The Airbus rival failed 33 of 89 tests in an investigation into the production process, which was initiated after a cabin wall was torn off during a flight, the newspaper reported. During the comprehensive inspection, Boeing also failed the test that dealt with the door stopper of the ruptured component.
AeroSystems failed
The supplier Spirit AeroSystems, which produces the fuselage for the MAX, only passed six of thirteen audits, the report continues. Spirit also failed to assemble the cabin wall component. The FAA, Boeing and Spirit did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.
During the tests, among other things, concerns were raised about the technicians because Boeing apparently failed to “identify the knowledge required to operate its processes,” writes the NYT. Last week, the FAA said it had found “violations in Boeing’s control of manufacturing processes, parts handling and storage, and product inspection.”
On January 5th, part of the cabin wall of an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 with 177 people on board broke out at a height of around five kilometers.
Late delivery for Delta
Meanwhile, according to a report by the Bloomberg news agency, the US airline Delta Air expects delays in the delivery of the 737 Max 10 until 2027 due to tightened safety controls and criminal investigations at Boeing. “We had already expected that it could be 25,” Delta CEO Ed Bastian said in an interview. “But I think it will be a year or two later.”
There are “some issues with the Boeing 737 Max that need to be addressed.” However, Delta is “satisfied” with the negotiated contractual clauses against delivery delays for the ordered passenger aircraft.
The airline announced in July 2022 the purchase of 100 737 Max 10 jets worth around $13.5 billion at list price, which it will receive from 2025. At the same time, Delta secured options to purchase 30 additional Boeing aircraft.