A whistleblower has urged Boeing to ground all 787 Dreamliners around the world ahead of a high-profile hearing on Capitol Hill, warning it faces premature failure.
The planemaker has been grappling with the latest crisis since a cabin panel explosion in January raised new questions about production of its best-selling commercial plane, the 737 Max.
But the Federal Aviation Administration is currently investigating claims by Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour that the manufacturing giant took shortcuts in building the 787 to reduce production bottlenecks.
Salepour, who worked at Boeing for more than a decade, said he faced retaliation, including threats and being excluded from meetings, after raising concerns about issues such as gaps between parts of the 787 fuselage.
Asked whether Boeing should ground the 787s for inspections, he told NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt: “As far as I’m concerned, the entire fleet around the world needs to be concerned. What’s important to note is, You need to check your gaps to make sure there is no chance of premature failure.
Boeing insists the 787 and 777 are safe and that retaliation against whistleblowers will not be tolerated within the company. At a news conference earlier this week, executives described how a rigorous testing and inspection program gives the company confidence in the jet’s durability.
“We are confident in the 787 Dreamliner because of the comprehensive work done to ensure the aircraft’s quality and long-term safety,” Boeing said in a statement on Monday. “These claims about the 787’s structural integrity are inaccurate.
Salipool told NBC: “I came forward, I craned my neck, but you know, I’m at peace with myself. Because this is going to save a lot of lives.
Salepour is scheduled to testify before senators on the Homeland Security Committee on Wednesday.
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Boeing Chief Executive Dave Calhoun and Chairman Larry Kellner announced last month after trying to reassure regulators, airlines and passengers following the January crash. Plan to resign.
