Second Boeing Whistleblower

US aviation authorities are looking at new whistleblower claims accusing Boeing of poor safety standards, the latest in a series of safety-related controversies at the beleaguered aircraft giant. 

Sam Salehpour has accused Boeing of retaliating against him after he identified engineering flaws that affected the structural integrity of the company’s wide-body 787 Dreamliner and 777 jets.

Salehpour, who has worked at Boeing as an engineer for more than a decade, alleges that the aircraft maker took shortcuts in the production of the 787 Dreamliner, resulting in sections of fuselages being improperly fastened together. He also alleged witnessing safety problems in the production of the 777, including cases of workers jumping on misaligned parts to get them to fit together.

The FAA confirmed that they were investigating the claims after they were detailed in public for the first time in interviews with The New York Times. A US Senate subcommittee have also summoned Boeing CEO David Calhoun to appear next week to answer questions about the allegations.

I pray Salehpour doesn't have a death wish. I don't want him to go and kill himself. [Read my post "Boeing Whistleblower John Barnett is Found Dead" published March 16, 2024].

And I shouldn't be surprised at Salehpour's revelations because Boeing, not even missing a beat, continue to suffer mishaps!

Already, US airline regulators are investigating another incident of an engine cowling on a Boeing plane falling off during takeoff and striking the wing flap. The Southwest Airlines flight 3695 rose to about 10,300ft (3,140 metres) before returning safely 25 minutes after takeoff to Denver International airport, Colorado on Sunday. It was towed to the gate after landing. 

The Boeing aircraft with 135 passengers and six crew members aboard had been headed to Houston in Texas. No one was injured. 

The airline said maintenance teams are reviewing the aircraft.

Footage posted on X showed the ripped engine cover flapping in the wind with a torn Southwest logo.

On March 29, an Alaska Airlines Flight 828 from Honolulu in Hawaii to Anchorage, Alaska, had to turn around after ninety minutes into the flight when a malfunctioning bathroom sink flooded the cabin of the Boeing 737 Max 9 jet.

And the flight had to be canceled due to lack of aircraft for a swap, but impacted passengers were "reaccommodated on alternative flights", the airline said. 

Boeing, for sure represent a safety threat to their passengers!