The Boeing 787 Dreamliner has had a rough week as separate reports revealed four production issues with the widebody jet, which has been a key generator of cash with the 737 Max still grounded.
The problems include:
- Excessive gaps in the vertical tail fin that could cause strain on the structure of the plane. KOMO News Radio in Seattle first reported the issue that could affect 680 airplanes.
- Some parts in the horizontal stabilizer were clamped with greater force than specified, which could result in improper gap verification and shimming, according to Reuters. The issue could could affect 900 aircraft.
- Some aircraft had shims that were the incorrect size. Shims are used to close gaps in joints.
- Some airplanes failed to meet skin-flatness specifications. Boeing said it had removed eight 787s over the shim and skin-flatness issues.
The Federal Aviation Administration said on Thursday that "is investigating manufacturing flaws affecting certain Boeing 787 jetliners" but it hasn't made a decision on whether it will issue airworthiness directives over the manufacturing defects.
Boeing shares closed up 1.6% at 157.96 on the stock market today but has lost 6% this week, according to MarketSmith chart analysis. Dreamliner engine supplier General Electric fell 0.8%.
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Boeing 787 Troubles
Boeing's manufacturing processes have come under fire since two deadly crashes of its 737 Max jet. Investigations into Boeing's certification process further exposed a toxic work culture, and warnings from some employees said overworked factory staff were making mistakes.
The 787 Dreamliner is Boeing's biggest moneymaker since the 737 Max's grounding last year meant deliveries have been on hold. But demand for the Boeing 787 is falling as the coronavirus hits air travel. Boeing has only delivered 42 this year, down from 158 in 2019. Boeing will slow the production rate to six per month in 2021 vs. 10 now.
The Boeing 787 had several issues when it first debuted. In January 2013, 50 787s were grounded after the battery on a Japan Airlines flight caught on fire while on the runway in Boston. Boeing replaced the batteries in all of the jets but the cause of the battery issue was never determined. Then later that year a Dreamliner caught fire at London's Heathrow airport.
Follow Gillian Rich on Twitter @IBD_GRich for aviation news and more.
