The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently conducted a 6-week audit of Boeing's 737 Max production process and found numerous issues. This audit was prompted by a concerning incident where a door panel blew out mid-air. During the audit, federal investigators discovered several alarming practices, such as mechanics using dish soap as a lubricant while checking the door seal and even using a hotel key card to inspect the door seals.
Boeing reportedly failed 33 out of 89 product audits, while its supplier, Spirit Aerosystems, failed 7 out of 13. This comes amidst a series of incidents involving Boeing planes, including an engine catching fire on a flight from Houston to Florida and a tire falling off a plane departing from San Francisco, which resulted in the tire crushing a car in an airport parking lot.
A spokesperson for Spirit Aerosystems stated that the company is reviewing all identified nonconformities for corrective action. Boeing has been given a 90-day deadline to develop an action plan to address the 33 issues identified during the audit.
These findings raise concerns about the safety and quality control measures in place during the production of Boeing's 737 Max aircraft. The FAA's scrutiny highlights the importance of rigorous oversight and adherence to industry standards to ensure the safety of passengers and crew members.
