this post was submitted on 09 Dec 2024
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Summary

Whistleblowers at Boeing allege widespread safety lapses, including missing or defective parts and improper assembly practices, driven by pressure to maintain production schedules.

A January incident where a door panel blew off a new 737-9 Max mid-flight has sparked investigations, with insiders like Sam Mohawk revealing that thousands of faulty parts may have been installed on planes.

Other whistleblowers describe similar concerns over quality control failures, managerial indifference, and retaliation for speaking out.

Boeing denies safety risks but faces ongoing FAA investigations amid heightened scrutiny over its practices.

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[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 16 points 2 weeks ago (8 children)

I said I would never fly again unless I absolutely have to. Now I will absolutely have to and I hope to god it's on an Airbus.

[–] Dettweiler42@lemmy.dbzer0.com 11 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Airbus has it's own set of issues and maintenance problems. They just haven't been newsworthy. I will hand it to them, they've consistently improved the maintainability of their aircraft over time, however they have no interest in improving longevity. Boeing has an extensive aging fleet plan and support. Airbus just says "buy a new airplane".

[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Can you link to sources for this?

Also, it makes sense to retire a plane when it’s 20-30 years old, essentially because it becomes extremely inefficient. That said There are nearly 200 A300s flying. They were introduced in 1974.

I have a friend who is the chief engineer for a charter airline that has a 4 plane fleet, A320, First gen. From the 80s or early 90s.

Your claim doesn’t seem to hold up.

[–] Dettweiler42@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

I've worked on several fleets of cargo aircraft that are mostly comprised of PAX to cargo conversions or dedicated freighters. When they exceed their airframe hours for passenger service, they go to cargo to live out the rest of their lives. I've worked on multiple fleets that were built in the 70's. B767-200's, A300's, and DC-10's. The DC(MD)-10's on my current fleet are all retired now due to economic reasons, but the airframes are still absolutely solid. The A300's are still flying but are steadily being retired due to Airbus not approving major repairs for issues related to the age of the aircraft. All of the A310's at my company have already been retired due to Airbus dropping aging fleet support. The B767-200's will keep flying for a long time because Boeing has a very extensive aging fleet program. The only limit for the B767's longevity is the owner's wallet. With that being the case, the retired A300's and MD-10's at my company are being replaced with factory-new B767-300's and B777-300's.

Also, the B757's I've worked on will last just as long as the 767's. The oldest ones I worked on had over 150,000 flight hours and were factory freighters. The company that owned them finally retired them at 200,000 flight hours. They were still airworthy, but they were becoming pretty expensive to maintain and the owner replaced them with slightly newer but less used 757-200F's and 767-300's. The 767's were freshly retired from PAX service (got the IAI P2F conversion), and the 757's were from another freighter line.

I don't have any links. I'm actively working in the industry on the maintenance side of widebody aircraft, currently for a company that owns over 400 aircraft. I've worked on several fleets and airframes beforehand for a MRO doing similar work.

[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 1 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

What you explain sounds totally reasonable. The thing is that older Boeings And DCs and MDs have an American old school philosophy about them, think of the muscle car era, while Airbuses have been conceived different from the start. Even the 300/310 (2nd gen, with the two man cockpit) adopted a computer driven approach, while on the American ones, the computers were simply an auxiliary feature. The result is that certifying such an integral part of the system, based on computer systems is an iffy proposition. I have seen this same issue, with ATMs. While the hardware may be totally sound, getting computer spares has become extremely expensive. Replacing 286 CPUs, for example is really difficult, you can't really find new ones on the market. Solutions exist but it's really about economics. These solutions can extend A300's life, up to 60 years. That's fairly long.

DC 3's still fly, but many have been essentially rebuilt, to the last rivet. Apart from the warbirds, the commercial ones are still used because it's very hard to find modern planes that can replace the DC3's unique capabilities. Rough landing strips, robustness, easy low tech maintenance, etc. They are expected to be flying into their 100th birthdays.

[–] blattrules@lemmy.world 6 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You should be able to check what airplane your flight uses. The last few times I’ve flown, I’ve been able to sort by airbus. It might be site dependent though.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago

Good to know, thanks.

[–] Tyfud@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

You can choose flights that use airbus, as someone else said.

I'm on my way back from the UK on British airways because they use airbus. Was roughly the same cost as the delta flight using a Boeing.

[–] elucubra@sopuli.xyz 1 points 2 weeks ago

thre are a some airlines in Europe which are all Airbus, like Easyjet, Iberia, etc. When looking for flights I always try to fly these type of airlines. Prices some times may be 10-20 € more. Worth it for me. Also, the A320 is more comfortable than the 737.

[–] Coreidan@lemmy.world 4 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Even with everything considered you’re statistically more likely to die on your way to the airport than on the actual flight.

You’re being irrational.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago) (1 children)

Cool. I don’t fly because it’s loud, obnoxious and uncomfortable.

Amazing how many people here seem to think wanting comfort and a lack of stress and anxiety being cooped up in a tiny, loud tube with a bunch of obnoxious strangers is such an irrational thing.

[–] Coreidan@lemmy.world 2 points 2 weeks ago

And what is airbus going to do for you? Did you forget your comment?

[–] P1nkman@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

Haven't been on an airplane for 5.5 years. From Norway, lived in Australia for 3 years (return trip to Norway twice a year), and now live in Denmark. Closer to the continent, so we drive on holidays instead. And I'm keeping it that way!

[–] Infomatics90@lemmy.ca 2 points 2 weeks ago

i don't fly i just take trains and buses

[–] ramble81@lemm.ee -4 points 2 weeks ago (2 children)

Hope you don’t drive then. Or bike. Or hell, I think even walk (need to double check that last one). Flying is still by far the safest mode of transportation.

And to those who say “well I’m not in control of the vehicle”, you truly think you are on the road with so many others in such close proximity? At least air traffic is regulated.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 19 points 2 weeks ago (1 children)

Cool. I don't fly because it's loud, obnoxious and uncomfortable.

I don't want to fly on a Boeing in specific because, well, see above.

[–] Semi_Hemi_Demigod@lemmy.world 19 points 2 weeks ago

I’d also add expensive, inconvenient, and demeaning.

[–] Melonpoly@lemmy.world 3 points 2 weeks ago

*in the US

I haven't seen statistics from other countries.