Defective Parts Used On Widebody Jets, Too

Boeing, reporting just two weeks ago that defective fasteners had been used in the assembly of its 737s, now has announced the same parts have been used in its 747s, 767s and 777s.

Despite causing further production delays caused by inspection for and replacement of the fasteners, Boeing spokeswoman Beverly J. Holland said customer concern is focused on "what are we doing to assure that this does not happen again. Nobody wants a plane to be delivered with noncomforming parts," she said.

Used to secure bundles of wires and other components to the inside of fuselages, the suspect nutplates lack an anti-corrosive cadmium coating. Installed by Wichita's Spirit Aerosystems, the parts came from one of its three suppliers, Spirit spokesman Kenneth Evans said.

As ANN reported, the uncoated fasteners had been in use since August 2007, but were not discovered by Spirit until late August 2008, when Boeing was notified about the problem.

Boeing knew from an early stage that widebody jets as well as 737s were affected, Holland said, but had initially disclosed the problem only with the smaller jets because "that's where the major impact was," according to Associated Press reports.

Although Boeing states that there is no immediate safety issue, a total of 476 aircraft already in service have the defective parts, including 113 of the widebody planes. Holland said Boeing and the FAA are likely to determine guidelines for their inspection.

FMI: www.boeing.com