All articles tagged with #quality control
Originally Published 4 months ago — by CNET
LEDs often fail prematurely due to factors like heat buildup, poor electrical power quality, old sockets, high humidity, incompatible dimmers, and manufacturing quality issues. While LED lifespan claims are estimates, proper installation, ventilation, and choosing reputable brands can help maximize their longevity.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Seattle Times
Elizabeth Lund, Boeing's senior vice president of quality for commercial airplanes, is retiring after over 33 years with the company. Lund, who was tasked with restoring Boeing's quality control following a serious incident on an Alaska Airlines flight, has been a key figure in addressing the company's quality management issues. Her retirement comes after a challenging period marked by public scrutiny and regulatory pressure. Doug Ackerman will succeed her in the role.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Leeham News and Analysis
Boeing has released an 11-page executive summary of its Safety & Quality Plan to the FAA, outlining key performance indicators and ongoing objectives. The FAA emphasized the need for systemic change and will not approve production increases until Boeing demonstrates a strong commitment to safety and quality. No specific milestones or deadlines have been disclosed.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
Boeing has committed to significant changes in its manufacturing processes to address safety and quality control issues, following a 90-day review by the FAA prompted by an in-flight door plug blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 Max. The FAA will maintain heightened oversight, including more inspectors and weekly meetings with Boeing leaders, until it is satisfied with the company's progress. Boeing aims to increase production later this year, but the FAA has not set a timeline for lifting the current production cap.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The New York Times
Boeing has submitted a comprehensive action plan to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to address systemic quality-control issues that have plagued the company. This follows a series of safety incidents, including a door panel blowing out of an Alaska Airlines jet in January. The FAA will meet with Boeing weekly to monitor progress and ensure the implementation of recommended safety improvements.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by ABC News
Boeing faces more scrutiny as another whistleblower, engineer Sam Salehpour, alleges that the company took shortcuts in the production of 787 and 777 jets, leading to serious structural flaws. Salehpour claims that parts of the plane's fuselage are being fastened together improperly, potentially weakening the aircraft over time. Boeing refutes these claims, stating that rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight has validated the aircraft's structural integrity. The FAA is investigating the whistleblower's claims, and Salehpour plans to testify on Capitol Hill next week.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by USA TODAY
A Boeing engineer, Sam Salehpour, has raised concerns about production quality issues with the 787 jets, alleging that excessive force is being used to fit parts together, potentially leading to catastrophic failures inflight. Salehpour's complaint to the FAA claims that shortcuts in the assembly process are placing excessive stress on major airplane joints and embedding drilling debris between key joints on over 1000 planes, significantly reducing their lifespan. Boeing has refuted these claims, stating that rigorous engineering examination under FAA oversight has validated the aircraft's safety and service life. The FAA has acknowledged the complaint and emphasized the importance of voluntary reporting in aviation safety. Salehpour is set to testify before Congress about these issues.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The National
Emirates Airline's president emphasizes the need for a "strong engineering lead" as Boeing's CEO steps down, expressing skepticism about whether management changes will resolve the company's problems. Industry analysts stress the importance of a new CEO with a background in aerospace engineering and a commitment to quality production. Boeing's leadership shake-up, prompted by a series of incidents, aims to address quality control and restore stakeholder trust, but analysts caution that it may not be sufficient to overhaul the company's work culture and reputation.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
Boeing's 2024 has been marred by a series of incidents, including a door plug failure on a 737 Max 9, leading to grounding and inspections of similar aircraft. The FAA has ordered a comprehensive plan from Boeing to address systemic quality-control issues, while also criticizing the company's safety culture. The NTSB's preliminary report revealed missing bolts on the plane involved in the door plug incident, and Boeing has taken steps to strengthen quality control. The company faces renewed questions about its ability to meet safety standards and its relationship with the FAA.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by New York Post
Boeing has been embroiled in a series of shocking personnel scandals, including a murder-suicide, drug dealing, and quality control issues. The company's stock has plummeted following incidents such as a door plug flying off a 737 MAX 9 and a wheel falling off a 777 jet, leading to FAA investigations uncovering "unacceptable" quality control issues. These scandals date back to 2008, with incidents including a disgruntled worker cutting electrical wires on a Chinook helicopter, a drug raid at a Boeing plant, and allegations of drug use and safety concerns among employees. The recent death of whistleblower John Barnett, who raised safety concerns about the 787 Dreamliner, has raised suspicions, with his lawyers questioning the legitimacy of his death being ruled a suicide.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by The Washington Post
The death of a former Boeing employee who raised concerns about quality control issues at a South Carolina factory has brought renewed attention to the aerospace giant's history of facing allegations of safety and quality risks. The company has been under scrutiny since a piece of an Alaska Airlines jet fell off midflight in January, prompting a Justice Department investigation and fresh concerns from the FAA. The death of the whistleblower, John Barnett, has added to the ongoing challenges facing Boeing, including a stock decline and a Justice Department probe that could complicate the resolution to a fraud charge stemming from previous crashes.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNN
John Barnett, a former Boeing employee and whistleblower, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Charleston, South Carolina. Barnett had raised concerns about the company's production standards and was in the midst of a whistleblower retaliation case. His family and lawyers are calling for a thorough investigation into his death. Barnett had discovered metal slivers hanging over the wiring that commands the flight controls, raising concerns about the safety and airworthiness of Boeing aircraft produced in Charleston.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by NPR
John Barnett, a former Boeing quality control manager and whistleblower, was found dead in a vehicle in a Charleston hotel parking lot, with police suspecting a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Barnett had raised concerns about safety issues and declining manufacturing practices at Boeing's commercial airplane plant in North Charleston, S.C., and had testified in a lawsuit against the company the day before his death. He had previously accused Boeing of pressuring workers not to document potential defects and problems, prioritizing profits over quality and passenger safety.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by CNBC
The Federal Aviation Administration conducted a six-week audit of Boeing's 737 Max production and found "dozens of problems" at Boeing and its supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, including failure to follow approved manufacturing processes and keep proper quality control documentation. Out of 89 product audits, Boeing passed 56 tests and failed 33, while Spirit AeroSystems had only six passing grades out of 13 audits. The audit was prompted by an incident where a door panel blew off a 737 Max 9 flight on Alaska Airlines. Boeing has been given 90 days to develop a plan for quality-control improvements, and the company stated it is implementing immediate changes and developing a comprehensive action plan to strengthen safety and quality.
Originally Published 1 year ago — by Business Insider
The FAA found that mechanics at Spirit AeroSystems, a Boeing supplier, were using liquid Dawn soap as a lubricant for fitting a door seal on the 737 Max, and observed them cleaning up with a wet cheesecloth. Boeing and Spirit failed multiple product audits related to 737 Max production, with most issues involving manufacturing staff not following approved procedures. The incident has raised global scrutiny on the quality of the 737 Max's fuselage, prompting investigations into safety standards at Boeing. Boeing and Spirit have pledged to implement immediate changes and develop comprehensive action plans to strengthen safety and quality.