According to an FAA spokesman, the acting administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration will meet with FAA safety inspectors in South Carolina on Thursday to determine whether Boeing (NYSE:BA) can resume deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner after production issues forced the manufacturer to halt deliveries in May 2021.FAA stated that the goal of acting Administrator Billy Nolen’s visit is to verify that Boeing (NYSE:BA) has taken the proper steps to improve product quality and ensure the autonomy of workers who assure regulatory compliance on the company’s assembly lines.
On Friday, citing two informed sources, it was reported that the FAA has accepted Boeing’s inspection and modification plan to resume 787 Dreamliner deliveries. Sources said that shipments could restart this month. The sources, who requested anonymity as the information was not yet public, reported that the FAA had approved Boeing’s proposal requiring special inspections to ensure the airplane satisfies specifications and all work has been performed. Boeing (NYSE:BA) halted 787 deliveries when the FAA expressed reservations about the proposed inspection procedure. Boeing (NYSE:BA) informed reporters on July 17 that it was extremely close to resuming 787 deliveries. However, before deliveries can continue, the FAA must still approve an airworthiness certification eligibility document.
The FAA emphasized that even when deliveries resume, it will take time for the backlog to be resolved. Each aircraft will be inspected before an airworthiness certificate is issued. This additional control measure will stay in place until the agency has adequate evidence that Boeing (NYSE:BA) can resume responsibility for this function. According to the FAA, Nolen has requested that Boeing (NYSE:BA) executives give an update on these programs and the performance of the company’s Safety Management System to detect and manage risks throughout the manufacturing process on Thursday.
On Wednesday, Boeing (NYSE:BA) stated that it would continue to work openly with the FAA and our customers to resume 787 deliveries. For over two years, the aircraft manufacturer has struggled with 787 manufacturing. The FAA said in September 2020 that it was investigating manufacturing defects in certain 787 jetliners. Following two catastrophic 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, the FAA committed to investigate Boeing (NYSE:BA) more thoroughly and assign fewer aircraft certification tasks to Boeing (NYSE:BA). The FAA had issued two airworthiness directives for the 787 Dreamliner to address production issues for in-service aircraft and found a new topic in July 2021.
After a five-month pause, the aircraft manufacturer resumed shipments in March 2021, only to halt them once more. The FAA was involved in protracted negotiations before Friday’s clearance. According to sources, an aircraft manufactured for American Airlines would likely be the first 787 aircraft delivered by Boeing (NYSE:BA) since May 2021. This may occur as early as next week. American Airlines stated on its earnings call last month that it anticipates receiving nine 787s this year, including two in early August.
Featured Image: Megapixl @Richair
