nkat2112 , 4 months ago

This article makes clear how Mr. Barnett called on Boeing on numerous dangerous practices, which Boeing fully denied. But it seems the FAA was able to confirm at least some of Mr. Barnett’s testimony.

Here follow some notable parts:

He later told the BBC that workers had failed to follow procedures intended to track components through the factory, allowing defective components to go missing.

He said in some cases, sub-standard parts had even been removed from scrap bins and fitted to planes that were being built to prevent delays on the production line.

He also claimed that tests on emergency oxygen systems due to be fitted to the 787 showed a failure rate of 25%, meaning that one in four could fail to deploy in a real-life emergency.

Mr Barnett said he had alerted managers to his concerns, but no action had been taken.

Boeing denied his assertions. However, a 2017 review by the US regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), did uphold some of Mr Barnett’s concerns.

It established that the location of at least 53 “non-conforming” parts in the factory was unknown, and that they were considered lost. Boeing was ordered to take remedial action.

I wonder what the results were for the remedial actions imposed on Boeing in 2017. Were they able to account for the lost parts, particularly in light of Mr. Barnett’s claims of garbage parts being used from the garbage bins?

Sounds like a particular corporation is being scummy.

His death comes at a time when production standards at both Boeing and its key supplier Spirit Aerosystems are under intense scrutiny.

Gosh, this is convenient for Boeing and Spirit. Very, very convenient.

And it’s clear the FAA is pissed:

A preliminary report from the US National Transportation Safety Board suggested that four key bolts, designed to hold the door securely in place, were not fitted.

Last week, the FAA said a six-week audit of the company had found “multiple instances where the company allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements”.

Returning to the top of the article, we see the use of quotes around “self-inflicted”:

Boeing said it was saddened to hear of Mr Barnett’s passing. The Charleston County coroner confirmed his death to the BBC on Monday.

It said the 62-year-old had died from a “self-inflicted” wound on 9 March and police were investigating.

Yeah, the quotes look very appropriate to me.

Rest in Power, Mr. Barnett. I’m truly sorry for you and your family.