Federal safety officials have mandated inspections of cockpit seats on Boeing 787 Dreamliners following an alarming incident where one of the jets suddenly dove when the captain's seat unexpectedly lurched forward, disengaging the autopilot. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will require operators of 787s to inspect both pilot seats for missing or cracked caps that cover a crucial switch controlling seat movement. The inspection order, set to be published on Wednesday, affects 158 planes registered in the United States.
United Airlines Flight Loses Wheel During Takeoff, Prompts FAA Investigation
Introduction
In the latest of a series of troubling incidents for United Airlines, a Boeing 757-200 lost a wheel during takeoff from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Monday. United Flight 1001, bound for Denver, experienced the issue shortly after departing at 7:15 a.m. Despite the lost wheel, the aircraft landed safely in Denver at approximately 10 a.m. with no reported injuries among the 174 passengers and crew.
Boeing to Plead Guilty to Fraud Charges Over 737 Max Crashes
Introduction
Boeing will plead guilty to a criminal fraud charge related to two fatal crashes involving its 737 Max jetliners, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced late Sunday.
The crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, which killed 346 people, prompted federal prosecutors to accuse Boeing of deceiving regulators about the safety of the aircraft and its pilot-training requirements. This decision follows the determination that Boeing breached an agreement that had protected it from prosecution for over three years.
Boeing Faces Potential Criminal Charges After Allegedly Violating 2021 Settlement Agreement
Introduction
WASHINGTON -- The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has accused Boeing of breaching a 2021 settlement agreement designed to avoid criminal prosecution over its role in two fatal crashes of its 737 Max jets. The accusation, filed in a Texas federal court on Tuesday, suggests that Boeing failed to implement required changes to detect and prevent fraud, placing the company at risk of prosecution.
Boeing Admits to Falsifying Inspection Records Amid Federal Investigations
Introduction
In a significant development, Boeing has admitted to falsifying inspection records of its 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This disclosure follows the initiation of a new federal investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which came to light after reports from the Wall Street Journal and the Seattle Times. The FAA is specifically probing whether Boeing's employees at the North Charleston, South Carolina assembly plant altered records that certified the bonding and grounding processes in the aircraft's wing-to-fuselage join.
Boeing Engineer Calls for Grounding of All 787 Jets Amid Safety Concerns
Introduction
In a significant escalation of safety concerns surrounding Boeing's 787 Dreamliner, engineer Sam Salehpour has called for a temporary grounding of all such aircraft globally to allow for thorough safety checks. This statement was part of an interview set to be broadcast in full on "NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt" this Tuesday. The timing is crucial as Salehpour is scheduled to testify before Congress on Wednesday regarding the safety issues he previously reported to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Boeing Compensates Alaska Airlines $160 Million for 737 Max Incident
Introduction
Boeing has agreed to pay $160 million in compensation to Alaska Airlines for a significant incident that occurred on January 5, involving an exit plug blowout on a flight departing from Portland, Oregon. This compensation amount mirrors the pre-tax profit losses reported by Alaska Airlines due to the incident and the subsequent three-week grounding of its fleet of 65 Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft.
Incident Details and Aftermath:
United Airlines CEO Reassures on Safety After Series of Aviation Incidents
Introduction
In the wake of several high-profile aviation incidents in 2024, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has issued a memo to customers addressing safety concerns. Despite 2023 being the safest year ever for commercial air travel, recent events have heightened public scrutiny of airline safety, some involving United Airlines jets.
Boeing Urges Seat Switch Inspections on 787 Dreamliners After Sudden Plunge Incident
Introduction
Boeing has issued a recommendation for airlines to inspect the switches on pilots' seats in its 787 Dreamliner jets. This advisory comes in the wake of a report suggesting that an accidental cockpit seat movement may have caused a Latam Airlines plane to suddenly plunge while en route to New Zealand.
Key Points of the Advisory:
New Quality-Control Issue Identified in Boeing 737 Max Aircraft
Introduction
Boeing is facing another setback with its 737 Max aircraft, as a new quality-control issue has been identified, leading to a delay in the delivery of approximately 50 planes. Stan Deal, head of Boeing's commercial airplanes division, revealed in a staff memo that a supplier notified the company about a discrepancy in the drilling of two holes in the bodies of some 737 Max planes. The issue, while not an immediate flight-safety concern, requires rework on about 50 undelivered airplanes.