Richard Cuevas, a mechanic employed by Strom and contracted to work at Spirit AeroSystems, has recently come forward with serious allegations against Boeing and its manufacturing partner, Spirit AeroSystems. Cuevas claims that dangerous construction practices were used in the manufacturing of Boeing's 787 Dreamliner aircraft, potentially compromising the safety of these planes.
Who is Richard Cuevas?
Richard Cuevas is a mechanic who worked for Strom and was contracted to Spirit AeroSystems, a key manufacturing partner of Boeing. His job involved working on the 787 Dreamliner aircraft, and during his tenure, he observed what he described as "substandard manufacturing and maintenance processes."
The Allegations
Cuevas alleges that in 2021, at the Everett, Washington, factory, holes in the forward pressure bulkheads of the 787 aircraft were incorrectly drilled. This bulkhead is a critical component that maintains the structural integrity of the plane during flight. According to Cuevas, these improperly drilled holes could have devastating consequences. (for the legal complaint, click » complaint to FAA
Details of the allegations:
- Incorrectly Drilled Holes: Cuevas stated that the holes in the bulkhead were drilled larger than Boeing's specifications, which could damage the bulkhead and compromise the aircraft's structural integrity.
- Safety Risks: These deviations might affect the plane’s power and air pressure systems, posing significant safety risks.
- Cover-Up Claims: Cuevas accused Spirit of hiding these issues from Boeing and claimed he was dismissed from his job after reporting his concerns.
Response from Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems
Boeing has responded to Cuevas' allegations by stating that they have previously investigated these claims and found no safety concerns. Boeing emphasised their commitment to safety, noting that any safety-related issues are taken seriously and thoroughly investigated. Spirit AeroSystems has also acknowledged the allegations and stated that they are looking into the matter.
Boeing’s Statement:
"A subcontractor’s employee previously reported concerns to us that we thoroughly investigated, as we take any safety-related matter seriously. Engineering analysis determined that the issues raised did not present a safety concern and were addressed."
Spirit AeroSystems’ Response: Joe Buccino, a spokesperson for Spirit, stated,
"We encourage all Spirit employees with concerns to come forward, safe in knowing they will be protected."
Historical Context of Whistleblower Claims at Boeing
Cuevas is not the first to raise concerns about Boeing’s manufacturing practices. Other whistleblowers, including Boeing engineer Sam Salehpour, have previously reported similar issues with the 787 and 777 aircraft. The FAA and Boeing had suspended the delivery of new Dreamliners for over two years beginning in 2021 due to these concerns, which led to modifications in Boeing's production procedures.
For more, read: Boeing Whistleblower John Barnett Found Dead In USA
"I want to make clear that I have raised these issues over 3 years. I was ignored. I was told not to create delays. I was told, frankly, to shut up."
WATCH: Boeing Whistleblower Sam Salehpour testifies Wednesday in front of Congress. pic.twitter.com/BSnkD6Itfq— MSNBC (@MSNBC) April 17, 2024
Senate Hearing and CEO Apology
Adding to the scrutiny, Boeing CEO David Calhoun recently apologised to the families of plane crash victims before being grilled by senators during a hearing on Capitol Hill. The hearing addressed Boeing's safety culture and its handling of past incidents and whistleblower claims.
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♦ CEO's Apology: Calhoun apologised to the families of victims of the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashes, emphasising Boeing’s commitment to safety.
♦ Senate Scrutiny: Senators, led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal, questioned Calhoun about Boeing's safety practices and the treatment of whistleblowers. Blumenthal criticised Boeing for deflecting blame and not adequately addressing safety culture issues.
♦ Whistleblower Retaliation: The hearing highlighted concerns over retaliation against whistleblowers, with several former employees testifying about their experiences. Calhoun stated that Boeing encourages employees to report concerns and that the company takes these reports seriously.
Additional whistleblower claims
New information from another Boeing whistleblower, Sam Mohawk, has further intensified scrutiny. Mohawk, a quality assurance inspector, alleged that Boeing is cutting corners by losing track of non-conforming parts, some of which end up in newly built aeroplanes.
Mohawk’s Allegations: Mohawk claimed that supervisors instructed him to conceal evidence of non-conforming parts from the FAA and that he faced retaliation for his disclosures.
Boeing’s Response: Boeing stated that they are reviewing the new whistleblower claims and reaffirmed their commitment to safety and transparency.
For more on Whistleblowers: Whistleblowers: Handling Ethical Difficulties In A Multifaceted Setting
The Broader Impact
The allegations raised by Cuevas, coupled with the Senate hearing and new whistleblower claims, have brought Boeing’s manufacturing practices under intense scrutiny. These issues are especially significant following the January inflight incident involving a 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines, which required an emergency landing.
The Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which is currently under intense scrutiny as two NASA astronauts remain stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to mechanical issues. Originally scheduled to return to Earth on June 14, the astronauts have faced multiple delays and now have no set return date. Launched on June 5 as part of NASA's Commercial Crew Program, the mission has encountered several obstacles, including helium leaks and thruster performance issues. Despite assurances from NASA and Boeing that the astronauts are safe and well-supplied, the situation highlights ongoing concerns with Boeing's spacecraft reliability, further exacerbated by the mission's repeated postponements and technical challenges.
For more on this, read: NASA Delays Sunita Williams's Return: Here's Why?
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Conclusion
Richard Cuevas’ allegations have once again brought Boeing’s manufacturing practices into the spotlight, raising critical questions about the safety and integrity of the 787 Dreamliner. While Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems maintain that they have addressed these concerns, the claims continue to fuel broader scrutiny and discussions about aviation safety. As investigations continue, the aviation industry and the public will be watching closely to see how these issues are resolved.
Inputs by Agencies
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