A Senate subcommittee has called on Boeing CEO David Calhoun to testify regarding safety-related charges brought forth by a whistleblower. The inquiry, prompted by a quality engineer at Boeing, Sam Salehpour, is set to address safety concerns related to the manufacture and assembly of the 787 Dreamliner. The subcommittee has expressed worries about potential safety risks resulting from these issues.
Boeing has been cooperative with the subcommittee's inquiry, offering to provide documents, testimony, and technical briefings. However, it remains unclear whether Calhoun will attend the hearing scheduled for April 17.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been investigating Salehpour's allegations since February. Salehpour, who worked on the 787, raised concerns about changes in the assembly process of the fuselage, which he believed could lead to deformations in the composite material used in the aircraft's outer skin.
Boeing has refuted the claims, stating that the 787 is structurally sound and dismissing concerns about safety. The company emphasized that the reported issues do not pose any safety risks and assured that the aircraft will maintain its service life over several decades.
Boeing's safety record has come under scrutiny following incidents such as a door panel blowing out on a 737 Max 9 jet in January. The discovery of missing bolts on the panel raised further concerns about the company's quality control processes.
Both the 787 Dreamliner and the 737 Max have faced production defects that have impacted deliveries and caused disruptions for airlines. Calhoun's announcement of his retirement at the end of the year adds to the recent executive changes within Boeing.
