Boeing: Problem with 737 fuselages may delay deliveries

A problem with the Boeing 737 fuselages may delay the near-term deliveries of about 50 aircraft, the company announced Sunday.

In a letter to employees, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal said a worker at one of Boeing’s suppliers reported that two holes on the fuselage may have not been drilled exactly to the company’s requirements. Deal said the company believes about 50 aircraft are affected, causing potential delays in deliveries.

“While this issue could delay some near-term 737 deliveries, this is the only course of action given our commitment to deliver perfect airplanes every time. The days we are setting aside in the 737 program will allow time for our teams to complete the inspections and, if needed, perform the necessary rework,” Deal wrote in the letter.

Deal also noted that this issue “is not an immediate flight safety issue and all 737s can continue operating safely.” He said the 737 program will spend several days to focus on quality in the Renton, Wash. factory and inspect the undelivered planes for a “potential nonconformance.”

Boeing came under scrutiny last month after an Alaska Airlines flight experienced a midair blowout when a fuselage panel on the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft tore off minutes after taking off from Portland, Ore. All the Boeing 737 Max 9 aircraft were grounded as the planes were inspected, but they have since begun returning to the skies.

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting an investigation, while the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating if Boeing failed to ensure its planes complied with the agency’s safety regulations and will also be looking into the company’s suppliers.