Boeing’s fleet of 777 jets is allegedly at risk of fire and explosion due to an electrical flaw, according to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In a March Airworthiness Directive, the FAA reports that changes in the assembly of a cover plate “could lead to electrostatic discharge to the surrounding structure.” This discharge could potentially ignite the fuel tank, leading to fires or explosions.
The flaw involves the NEADS cover plate assembly, which is designed to prevent fuel tank explosions. The design lacks the ability to properly dissipate static electricity. Similar to the risk of using a cell phone while fueling a car, airplane manufacturers must account for static electricity buildup as a potential igniter.
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Boeing made headlines earlier this year when a 737 suffered a door blowout mid-flight. Following this, deliveries of 50 Boeing 737s were delayed after “mis-drilled holes” were discovered. Boeing has been criticized for a lack of production quality, with some citing their commitment to DEI policies as a potential cause. In recent months, 10 new whistleblowers have come forward with information on the company, following the mysterious deaths of two prior whistleblowers.
Earlier this month, the Justice Department told a federal judge that Boeing violated a settlement that allowed the company to avoid criminal prosecution. While the Justice Department has not pursued criminal charges yet, this violation legally provides the DOJ with the option to do so.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun wrote in an April message to employees: “Safety and quality must and will come above all else. We are absolutely committed to doing everything we can to make certain our regulators, customers, employees, and the flying public are 100 percent confident in Boeing.”
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The message also included various statistics on increased safety measures and the company’s commitment to employee feedback. He noted that despite announcing his resignation at the end of 2024, he remains committed to Boeing’s goals.
Boeing stock has fallen 26 percent so far in 2024, as investors are concerned about the financial implications of the scandals surrounding the manufacturer. Boeing had a “net loss attributable to Boeing Shareholders” of $343 million in Q1 of 2024, according to their public income statement. The company is currently valued at just over $106 billion, making it the fourth-largest US defense contractor.
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