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☆ While Boeing's passenger planes glitch, NASA is entrusting the company's spaceship with 2 astronauts' lives
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Morgan Mcfall-Johnsen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Boeing is about to fly NASA astronauts to the International Space Station for the first time. Still, the FAA, NASA, and other aerospace experts have questioned Boeing's overall safety culture. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams conduct suited operations in the Boeing Starliner simulator at NASA's Johnson Space Center. This Crew Flight Test mission is over a decade in the making. He added that those calculations are for a full 210-day mission, while Whilmore's and Williams's test flight lasts just one week.

Persons: —, NASA's Butch Wilmore, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, Robert Markowitz They're, jetliner, AeroSystems, Bill Nelson, Kim Shiflett, George Nield, Bjorn Fehrm, Fehrm, KPIs, Doug Loverro, Baz Ratner, Bill Ingalls, Steve Stich, Nield, We've, Wilmore, Starliner, Whitmore, Williams Organizations: Boeing, NASA, International Space Station, FAA, Service, Defense, Boeing's, International Space, Space Center, ISS, Max, NTSB, AP, Alaska Airlines, United Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, Department of Justice, Atlas, Cape Canaveral Space Force, Space Transportation, New York Times, Leeham, Business, Ethiopian, Ethiopian Airlines, Aerospace, Committee, White, Bill Ingalls NASA, US, Spaceflight Locations: Portland, Florida, It's, New Mexico

☆ Boeing's quarterly airplane deliveries drop to 83 amid safety crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Boeing airplane deliveries dropped in the first quarter as the company faces increased scrutiny after a door plug blew out from one of its 737 Max 9 planes midair in January. Boeing customers are still ordering new jets from the manufacturer, which along with Airbus dominates the large-jetliner market. The latest tally comes after the Jan. 5 accident on Alaska Airlines 1282 brought Boeing inches from a catastrophe. Since the accident, the Federal Aviation Administration has inspected Boeing's 737 Max production and barred the plane maker from increasing production of the jets until it signs off on its quality control procedures. "We won't rush or go too fast," Boeing CFO Brian West said at a Bank of America conference last month.

Persons: Brian West, we're, Dave Calhoun Organizations: Boeing, Airbus, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, Bank of America, Aircraft

☆ Another Boeing whistleblower has come forward, this time alleging safety lapses on the 777 and 787 widebodies
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-09 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

A whistleblower has come forward with allegations about the safety of at least 1,400 Boeing planes. He said production shortcuts have led to misaligned fuselages on Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 jets. AdvertisementAnother Boeing whistleblower has come forward with concerns over one of the planemaker's family of passenger jetliners, pointing to safety concerns in at least 1,400 widebody airplanes. He noted his concerns about the 787 and 777 airplanes were backed by Boeing data but that his complaints were ignored. "This analysis has validated that these issues do not present any safety concerns, and the aircraft will maintain its service life over several decades."

Persons: misaligned, —, Sam Salehpour, Salehpour, Max, I'm Organizations: Boeing, Service, New York Times, FAA, BI, Times, Alaska Airlines

☆ This new 'blended-wing' plane looks like a military stealth bomber and just got the green light to fly after decades of development
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-06 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

California aerospace startup JetZero got the green light to fly its new "Pathfinder" aircraft. The composite technology makes this new load bearing possible, Bragg told BI. "The product is essentially a new airframe and flight controls married to existing systems already certified for commercial flight," JetZero told BI. And most of those 200+ passengers would be in the middle section without a window, which Bragg told BI could put off travelers. Later, American aircraft industrialist and designer Jack Northrop built his famous "Flying Wing" aircraft in the 1940s, laying the framework for the eventual B-2 bomber.

Persons: JetZero, —, Tom O'Leary, Bailey Miles, AviationValues, Michael Bragg, Bragg, Douglas, it's, Jack Northrop, McDonnell Douglas, BWBs Organizations: Service, Aerospace, Federal Aviation Administration, CNN, Business, FAA, Boeing, US Air Force, Pathfinder, University of Illinois, Douglas DC, Airbus, Engineers, USAF, Getty Images Development, MD's, NASA Locations: California

☆ Boeing CEO Calhoun took home $5 million last year, compensation package hit by Max crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-05 | by ( Leslie Josephs | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Calhoun's total compensation last year rose 45% to $32.8 million, up from $22.6 million in the prior year. The manufacturer is grappling with the fallout of a door plug panel that blew out midair from a 737 Max operated by Alaska Airlines in January. Boeing disclosed the take-home pay, which did not include a 2023 bonus Calhoun declined that was valued at $2.8 million, and executive compensation in a filing on Friday. Calhoun took the helm at Boeing in January 2020 after his predecessor was ousted for his handling of the aftermath of two fatal crashes of the 737 Max. The Justice Department is investigating the Alaska Airlines accident and the Federal Aviation Administration has capped Boeing's 737 Max production until it signs off on Boeing's quality control.

Persons: Dave Calhoun, Dave Calhoun's, Max, Stan Deal, Calhoun, Steve Mollenkopf, aren't Organizations: Capitol, Washington , D.C, Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Justice, Federal Aviation Administration Locations: Washington ,

☆ A startup wants to fly passengers in its supersonic plane by 2029, but high costs and unproven technology have some experts raising their eyebrows
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-03 | by ( Taylor Rains | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Read previewColorado aerospace company Boom Supersonic is building the world's latest faster-than-sound passenger plane, called the Overture. This story is available exclusively to Business Insider subscribers. Related storiesBragg said a supersonic plane would be much more effective if it could be used on cross-country flights rather than just transoceanic. Boom told Business Insider it has seen a market appeal for the Overture as a corporate plane for sports teams. According to Boom, Overture will be able to fly Mach 0.94 over land, which is "20% faster than subsonic flight."

Persons: —, Boom, Michael Bragg, I'm, Bragg, There's, Henry Hardevelt Organizations: Service, Concorde, Business, Boom's, American Airlines, Japan Airlines, United Airlines, University of Illinois, Air, British Airways, Royce, Pratt & Whitney, Aviation Locations: Colorado, Air France

☆ 8 Incidents in 2 Weeks: What’s Going on With United’s Planes?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Christine Chung | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

An engine fire sparked by plastic packaging wrap, a tire lost shortly after takeoff and a plane veering off the runway: These are among the eight incidents that have occurred over the past two weeks on flights operated by United Airlines. While no injuries — or worse — have been reported, the mishaps have generated headlines and stoked rising anxiety about aviation safety among federal officials and passengers alike. All of the incidents happened in the United States, and five involved airplanes made by Boeing, a manufacturer already under intense scrutiny. In January, a door plug blew out of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner in mid-flight, forcing the plane to make an emergency landing. United, one of the world’s largest airlines, flies aircraft manufactured mainly by Boeing and Airbus.

Persons: jetliner, Scott Kirby, ” Organizations: United Airlines, Boeing, Alaska Airlines Boeing, Max, Airbus Locations: United States

The Justice Department is sending subpoenas and using a recently convened grand jury in Seattle as it widens a criminal investigation into the door plug that blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner in January, a person familiar with the matter said on Friday. A preliminary report by the National Transportation Safety Board said four bolts meant to secure the door plug in place were missing before the panel blew off. This month, it was reported that the Justice Department had opened a criminal investigation of Boeing, which had reinstalled the door plug during maintenance in Renton, Wash., before delivering the plane to Alaska Airlines in October. The subpoenas and use of the grand jury were reported earlier Friday by Bloomberg. Boeing said it agreed with the F.A.A.’s decision and pledged to cooperate.

Persons: jetliner Organizations: Boeing, Max, Alaska Airlines, Portland International, National Transportation Safety, Justice Department, Bloomberg, Federal Aviation Administration Locations: Seattle, Oregon, Renton, Wash, Alaska

Investigator Says She Asked Boeing's CEO Who Handled Panel That Blew off a Jet. He Couldn't Help HerThe nation’s chief accident investigator says she's gone to the top of Boeing — the company's CEO — and still can't get answers about who worked on the panel that blew off a jetliner in January

Persons: she's, — Organizations: Boeing

A former Boeing manager who raised safety questions about the aircraft maker has been found dead outside a hotel in South Carolina, according to local authorities. Police noted “the global attention this case has garnered.”Barnett was a longtime Boeing employee and worked as a quality-control manager before he retired in 2017. “He said that Boeing had a culture of concealment and was putting profits over safety.”Rodney Barnett said working at Boeing created stress for John. In 2019, Barnett told The New York Times about quality issues at Boeing’s factory in South Carolina, where the 787 jetliner is assembled. ___James Pollard in Columbia, South Carolina, contributed to this report.

Persons: John Barnett, ” Barnett, “ John, ”, Rodney, “, ” Rodney Barnett, John, Barnett’s, Barnett, Max, ___, ___ James Pollard Organizations: Boeing, Coroner’s, Police, Associated Press, New York Times, BBC, Alaska Airlines Locations: South Carolina, Charleston, Louisiana, Boeing’s, Columbia , South Carolina

☆ The Justice Department reportedly opened a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines door blowout
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-11 | by ( Cameron Manley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The DoJ opened a criminal investigation into the Boeing 737 blowout, The Wall Street Journal reported. AdvertisementThe Department of Justice has reportedly opened a criminal probe into the Boeing jetliner blowout that left a hole in the side of an Alaska Airlines plane in January. Citing unnamed sources, The Wall Street Journal reported on Saturday that DoJ investigators had contacted passengers and crew members who were on the Boeing 737 Max 9. Alaska Airlines said in a statement: "In an event like this, it's normal for the DoJ to be conducting an investigation. However, the NTSB is still unsure about who removed and replaced the door panel, Homendy said Wednesday.

Persons: —, Ed Wray, Jennifer Homendy, Homendy Organizations: DoJ, Boeing, Street Journal, Alaska Airlines, Service, of Justice, Street, Business Insider, Lion Air, Seattle Times, National Transportation Safety, NTSB, Spirit, Aviation Administration, FAA Locations: Portland , Oregon

With Boeing facing multiple government investigations, the company needs to make “a serious transformation” around its safety and manufacturing quality, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said Monday. That followed the company's admission that it couldn't find records that the National Transportation Safety Board sought for work done on the panel at a Boeing factory. “We will continue to cooperate fully and transparently with all government investigations and audits, as we take comprehensive action to improve safety and quality at Boeing," the company said. Alaska Airlines said it is cooperating with the Justice Department investigation. She told a Senate committee that Boeing had repeatedly rebuffed her agency's attempts to get information ever since the blowout.

Persons: Pete Buttigieg, Buttigieg, Max jetliner, ” Buttigieg, ”, Jennifer Homendy Organizations: Boeing, Transportation, Street Journal, Department of Justice, Alaska Airlines, National Transportation Safety, Federal Aviation Administration, DOJ, NTSB, Justice Department, Alaska, FAA, Max Locations: midlfight, Buttigieg's, Seattle, Arlington , Virginia

US Official Says Boeing Hasn't Turned Over Records About Work on the Panel That Blew off a JetlinerBoeing has refused to disclose who worked on the door plug that blew off a jetliner in January, according to the head of the agency that's conducting the investigation

Persons: that's Organizations: Boeing

☆ Boeing touts 737 Max as 'the safest airplane,' says China's C919 is similar to what's on the market
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Miniature models of Boeing commercial airplanes displayed at the Singapore Airshow in Singapore on February 20, 2024. SINGAPORE — Boeing touted its 737 Max aircraft as "the safest airplane" and said China's latest domestic jetliner Comac C919 is similar to offerings by Airbus and Boeing that are already in the market. However, he insisted it was "the safest airplane that can be out there today." A midflight blowout of a fuselage panel on one of Boeing's 737 Max 9 operated by Alaska Airlines earlier this year raised concerns about safety after loose bolts were found during preliminary inspections. On Wednesday, Boeing announced it will be replacing the head of its 737 Max program.

Persons: Dave Schulte, —, Schulte, Max Organizations: Boeing, Singapore, SINGAPORE — Boeing, Airbus, Max, Alaska Airlines, Wednesday, U.S . Air Force Locations: Singapore, SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific

☆ China will showcase its domestic jetliner at the Singapore Airshow. Here's what else to expect
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A model of Comac's C919 aircraft at the Singapore Airshow on Feb. 6, 2018. SINGAPORE — China is gearing up to showcase its narrow-body passenger jet to a global audience for the first time at the Singapore Airshow. Touted as a competitor to Boeing's 737 and the Airbus 320, the Comac C919 is quickly turning out to be one of the most anticipated features at this year's event. "Flying for the first time at the Singapore Airshow, is the C919, a narrow-body airliner developed by Chinese aircraft manufacturer Comac," Singapore Airshow organizer and manager Experia Events said in a statement. The Singapore Airshow is a fantastic opportunity for Comac particularly given the current situation with Boeing," Brendan Sobie of Sobie Aviation told CNBC.

Persons: Experia, Lockheed Martin, Thales, Brendan Sobie, Sobie Organizations: Singapore, Singapore Airshow, Airbus, Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China, Civil Aviation Administration, China, Aerospace, Boeing, Lockheed, Dassault, SAAB, Leonardo, Sobie Aviation, CNBC Locations: SINGAPORE — China, Singapore, China

☆ With no Boeing passenger jets at the Singapore Airshow, Airbus and China take centerstage
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An aerial photo shows Boeing 737 MAX airplanes parked on the tarmac at the Boeing Factory in Renton, Washington, U.S. March 21, 2019. SINGAPORE — Boeing will not be bringing any commercial planes to the Singapore Airshow, shifting the spotlight for passenger jets to rival Airbus as well as China's homegrown offering. While there will be aerial displays of commercial liners by Airbus and China's domestic jetliner Comac C919, Boeing will not have any commercial aircraft at the air show. While no commercial jets will be featured, Boeing will still be holding a cabin display of its wide-body 777X passenger plane, which the company claims is the world's largest twin-engine jet. This is the first major international aerospace event since the blowout last month, which pushed Boeing into another safety crisis after the U.S. safety regulators ordered the temporary grounding of more than 170 Boeing 737 Max 9 planes.

Persons: Max, Lockheed Martin, Thales, scuffling Organizations: Boeing, Boeing Factory, SINGAPORE — Boeing, Singapore, Airbus, U.S . Air Force, Lockheed, Dassault, SAAB, Leonardo, Max, Alaska Airlines Locations: Renton , Washington , U.S, SINGAPORE, Portland , Oregon

☆ Airbus targets 800 aircraft deliveries for 2024 even as supply chain issues linger
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An Airbus SE A380 airplane during a tour of a new maintenance hangar and control tower, at Chateauroux-Centre "Marcel Dassault" Airport in Chateauroux, France, on Friday, July 1, 2022. Airbus plans to deliver more aircraft to customers in 2024 even as supply chain headaches continue to afflict the European airplane maker. But he said the company is focused on its order backlog with existing customers "that's independent from what could happen outside." Openings for new airplane orders won't be available until the next decade, "so that would more impact the long term competitive positioning of the two companies rather than the short term," Faury said. Airbus reported that adjusted earnings before interest and tax rose 4% to 5.8 billion euros ($6.2 billion) as revenue climbed 11%.

Persons: Marcel Dassault, Guillaume Faury, jetliner, Faury Organizations: Airbus, Boeing Locations: Chateauroux, France, Toulouse

PARIS (AP) — Airbus plans to deliver more aircraft to customers in 2024 even as supply chain headaches continue to afflict the European airplane maker. The company reported healthy results for its commercial aircraft business Thursday in its latest annual earnings report, and signaled that there was more to come this year by setting a target of 800 commercial aircraft deliveries, 65 more than in 2023. But he said the company is focused on its order backlog with existing customers “that’s independent from what could happen outside." Openings for new airplane orders won't be available until the next decade, “so that would more impact the long term competitive positioning of the two companies rather than the short term,” Faury said. Airbus reported that adjusted earnings before interest and tax rose 4% to 5.8 billion euros ($6.2 billion) as revenue climbed 11%.

Persons: Guillaume Faury, jetliner, Faury, ” Faury Organizations: PARIS, Airbus, Boeing Locations: Toulouse, France

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal accident investigators are pushing to retrofit current aircraft with better cockpit voice recorders, citing the loss of evidence during last month's blowout of a door panel on a jetliner flying over Oregon. The National Transportation Safety Board said Tuesday that the Federal Aviation Administration should require many current planes to have recorders that can capture 25 hours of audio, up from the current standard of two hours. The FAA announced late last year a proposal to require the 25-hour standard but only on new planes. The FAA received about 115 comments about its proposal during a comment period that ended Feb. 2. Photos You Should See View All 22 ImagesCockpit voice recorders, or CVRs, are designed to capture conversations between pilots and any other noises that might help investigators understand the circumstances of an accident.

Persons: don’t, ”, Jennifer Homendy, — Organizations: WASHINGTON, —, The National Transportation Safety, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, United, Alaska Airlines, NTSB, Air Canada Locations: Oregon, Europe, San Francisco

Most U.S. adults believe that air travel is generally safe in the U.S., despite some doubts about whether aircraft are being properly maintained and remain free from structural problems. About 7 in 10 U.S. adults say planes are a “very” or “somewhat” safe method of travel, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Slightly fewer than half — 45% — have “a great deal” of confidence in pilots' training, while 38% say that about air traffic controllers. About one-quarter of U.S. adults have a high level of confidence that air travel is safe from terrorist attacks, or that government agencies have enacted necessary safety regulations. Randi Niedfeldt, a retired physician assistant in Wisconsin, has a great deal of confidence in the planes, despite the recent incidents.

Persons: ”, Margaret Burke of, Burke, “, can’t, Sherry Kohn, ” Kohn, Randi Niedfeldt Organizations: Associated Press, NORC, for Public Affairs Research, Alaska Airlines Boeing, Max, Federal Aviation, Alaska Airlines, U.S . Department of Transportation, Airline, Boeing Locations: U.S, Oregon, Alaska, Margaret Burke of Pensacola , Florida, California, Pennsylvania, vacuums, Wisconsin

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A “whistling sound” was heard on a previous flight of the Boeing 737 Max 9 whose door plug blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight last month, an attorney representing passengers in a lawsuit said in new court documents. On Wednesday, he filed an amended complaint that adds 18 additional passenger plaintiffs and includes the new allegations concerning the previous flight. He did not specify who they were and declined to confirm whether they were passengers or crew members on the previous flight. He also declined to specify when the previous flight occurred. She cautioned, however, that the pressurization light might be unrelated to the door plug blowout.

Persons: Mark Lindquist, Lindquist, “, ”, Max, Jennifer Homendy Organizations: Boeing, Max, Alaska Airlines, Court, Associated Press, AP, National Transportation Safety, NTSB, Alaska, Federal Aviation Administration Locations: PORTLAND, Portland , Oregon, Washington state's King County, Max, Alaska, United

WASHINGTON (AP) — The new chief of the Federal Aviation Administration says the agency will use more people to monitor aircraft manufacturing and hold Boeing accountable for any violations of safety regulations. FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker is expected to face a barrage of questions Tuesday about FAA oversight of the company since a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jetliner over Oregon last month. Separately, investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are expected to release a preliminary report on the Jan. 5 incident as early as Tuesday. After the incident on the Alaska jet, the FAA grounded most Max 9s for three weeks until panels called door plugs could be inspected. FAA also said it won't let Boeing increase the production rate of new Max jets until it is satisfied with the company's safety procedures.

Persons: Mike Whitaker, Whitaker, Max, Whitaker's Organizations: WASHINGTON, Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing, Max, National Transportation Safety, Transportation, FAA, Alaska Airlines Max, Alaska, Sunday Locations: Oregon, Indonesia, Ethiopia, Arlington , Virginia

Bolts that helped secure a panel to the frame of a Boeing 737 Max 9 were missing before the panel blew off the Alaska Airlines plane last month, according to accident investigators. The report included a photo from Boeing, which worked on the panel, which is called a door plug. In the photo, three of the four bolts that prevent the panel from moving upward are missing. The investigators said that the lack of certain damage around the panel indicates that all four bolts were missing before the plane took off from Portland, Oregon. A text between Boeing employees who finished working on the plane after the rivets were replaced included the photo showing the plug with missing bolts, according to the report.

Persons: David Calhoun, ” Investigators, Max, Michael Whitaker, —, “ what’s Organizations: Boeing, Max, Alaska Airlines, National Transportation Safety, Pilots, NTSB, ”, Alaska, United Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, FAA, Spirit Locations: Portland , Oregon, Boeing’s, Seattle, Alaska

☆ New quality glitch to delay some Boeing 737 Max deliveries
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

A Boeing 777-9 jetliner aircraft is pictured on the tarmac during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central - Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on Nov. 13, 2023. Boeing Co said on Sunday it will have to do more work on about 50 undelivered 737 Max airplanes, potentially delaying near-term deliveries, after its supplier Spirit AeroSystems discovered two mis-drilled holes on some fuselages. "This past Thursday, a supplier notified us of a non-conformance in some 737 fuselages. "While this potential condition is not an immediate flight safety issue and all 737s can continue operating safely, we currently believe we will have to perform rework on about 50 undelivered airplanes," Deal said. The checks focus on potentially incorrect positioning of two holes on a window frame assembly supplied by Spirit, a condition known as "short edge margin," the sources said.

Persons: AeroSystems, Stan Deal Organizations: Boeing, Maktoum International Airport, Boeing Commercial, Spirit Locations: Dubai, Al, Maktoum

☆ Boeing, Still Recovering From Max 8 Crashes, Faces a New Crisis
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-05 | by ( Santul Nerkar | Sydney Ember | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

After two deadly crashes involving its best-selling 737 Max 8 planes five years ago, Boeing spent billions of dollars to make its products safer and repair its reputation. Now, the company is again confronting a wave of uncertainty and costs following a harrowing incident involving a different 737 jet. Just four weeks ago, a hole blew open on a 737 Max 9 jetliner during an Alaska Airlines flight shortly after takeoff when what appears to have been a poorly attached panel tore away. The incident has prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to indefinitely halt Boeing’s ambitious plans to raise production of Max planes. The chief executive of United Airlines has gone so far as to suggest that his company might cancel some of its orders with Boeing.

Persons: Max, Trump Organizations: Boeing, Alaska Airlines, Alaska, Federal Aviation Administration, Passengers, United Airlines, Justice Department

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