WASHINGTON: The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said it is investigating manufacturing flaws involving some Boeing 787 Dreamliners but said it was too early to say if it will require new inspections.
Boeing said in August airlines operating its 787 Dreamliners had removed eight aircraft from service as a result of two distinct manufacturing issues in fuselage sections.
The FAA could require inspections covering hundreds of 787 aircraft after production issues at one plant, a person briefed on the matter confirmed. The Wall Street Journal reported the potential inspections earlier, citing an internal government memo and people familiar with the matter.
Engaging with Boeing
“The agency continues to engage with Boeing,” the FAA said Sunday. “It is too early to speculate about the nature or extent of any proposed airworthiness directives that might arise from the agency’s investigation.”
Boeing said “the rest of the in-service fleet has been determined to meet limit load capability, and we are inspecting production airplanes to ensure any issues are addressed prior to delivery”.
Boeing said some aircraft have shims that are not the proper size and some have areas that do not meet skin flatness specifications.
“Individually these issues, while not up to specifications, still meet limit load conditions. When combined in the same location however, they result in a condition that does not meet limit load requirements,” Boeing said.
A safety directive could potentially cover up to about 900 Dreamliners delivered since 2011.