Boeing is withdrawing its request for a time-limited exemption covering a de-icing system that would have allowed the 737-7 to be certified with a known noncompliance.
Holding 70% of the company’s outstanding shares, they could declare a crisis of confidence, challenge the status quo and demand a change in top management.
Though Boeing’s 737-9 is now allowed to return to service after close inspections, the FAA’s decision to freeze production at current levels is a huge blow.
Boeing is seeking an exemption from FAA to allow the 737-7 to be certified and enter service as the airframer works to address engine inlet durability issues.
Following receipt of an approved inspection and maintenance process from the FAA, Alaska expects to bring its first few 737-9s back into service on Jan. 26.
We may be witnessing the slow demise of what was once the world’s greatest aerospace company, with few identifiable roadblocks to an act of self-immolation.
FAA recommends visual inspections of Boeing 737-900ER mid-cabin door plugs after some operators have found loose bolts during earlier voluntary inspections.
Investigators are examining an engine fire on an Atlas Air Boeing 747-8F that had to return to Miami International Airport shortly after takeoff on Jan. 18.
Two fatal 737-8 accidents, deficient quality on multiple programs, and recent 737-9 issues mean FAA would be justified in scrutinizing anything Boeing proposes.
The review led by retired U.S. Navy Admiral Kirk Donald will examine Boeing’s commercial airplane quality management as well as its supplier quality oversight.
Japanese eVTOL startup SkyDrive has secured additional Series C funding through a third-party allotment of new shares to existing investor Suzuki Motor.
