Browntothebone
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[FONT=Times New Roman, serif]http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=14579
Fastener problems latest Dreamliner nightmare
Tuesday November 4, 2008
Boeing's chances of flying the 787 this year took another hit after the company acknowledged further fastener problems with the first aircraft on the production line.
A spokesperson confirmed the problem, telling ATWOnline that the manufacturer "recently discovered some fasteners on the 787 airplanes in Everett Final Assembly were incorrectly installed and do not conform to specifications. The fasteners themselves are fine."
The spokesperson added that Boeing "alerted our structural and pre-integration partners to also inspect the units they have in production. Although we are still receiving data, some installation nonconformance has been found. Less than 3% of fasteners installed to date are nonconforming."
It is unclear how the discoveries will affect the 787's first flight schedule. "We will not know the full impact of this effort on our schedule until 787 production resumes and we complete our strike recovery assessment. We are working closely with our partners to rectify the situation and replace the fasteners," the spokesperson said.
The latest problem comes as Boeing machinists return to work (see story below), but analysts now suggest that the first Dreamliner will not fly until January at the earliest, with first delivery pushed back to the 2010 first quarter (ATWOnline, Nov. 3).
Management now will be under intense pressure to advise the market and its customers on the full impact of the ongoing 787 production and software problems. Working in its favor will be a reenergized workforce, keen to work overtime to make up for pay lost during the 58-day strike.
by Geoffrey Thomas
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Fastener problems latest Dreamliner nightmare
Tuesday November 4, 2008
Boeing's chances of flying the 787 this year took another hit after the company acknowledged further fastener problems with the first aircraft on the production line.
A spokesperson confirmed the problem, telling ATWOnline that the manufacturer "recently discovered some fasteners on the 787 airplanes in Everett Final Assembly were incorrectly installed and do not conform to specifications. The fasteners themselves are fine."
The spokesperson added that Boeing "alerted our structural and pre-integration partners to also inspect the units they have in production. Although we are still receiving data, some installation nonconformance has been found. Less than 3% of fasteners installed to date are nonconforming."
It is unclear how the discoveries will affect the 787's first flight schedule. "We will not know the full impact of this effort on our schedule until 787 production resumes and we complete our strike recovery assessment. We are working closely with our partners to rectify the situation and replace the fasteners," the spokesperson said.
The latest problem comes as Boeing machinists return to work (see story below), but analysts now suggest that the first Dreamliner will not fly until January at the earliest, with first delivery pushed back to the 2010 first quarter (ATWOnline, Nov. 3).
Management now will be under intense pressure to advise the market and its customers on the full impact of the ongoing 787 production and software problems. Working in its favor will be a reenergized workforce, keen to work overtime to make up for pay lost during the 58-day strike.
by Geoffrey Thomas
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