Problem Analysis, Boeing Stops Delivery Of Jets 787 Dreamliners

Illustration of Boeing 787 Dreamliner (Photo: Doc. Boeing)

JAKARTA - The US Federal Aviation Agency (FAA) said Boeing Co had temporarily halted the delivery of the 787 Dreamliner jet as the US aircraft maker conducted additional analysis of the fuselage components.

Deliveries will not continue until the FAA believes the matter has been resolved, the agency said.

"FAA is working with Boeing to determine whatever action may be needed for a newly delivered aircraft," the agency said.

Boeing said in a review of its certification records "finding an analytical error by our suppliers related to the front pressure barrier of 787. We notified the FAA and have halted shipments of 787 while we are finalizing the necessary analysis and documentation."

Boeing said it had found fault in the past week.

"There are no safety or direct flights issues for the fleet operating," the company said. "While short-term shipments will be affected, we are currently not anticipating changes to our production prospects and shipments for the year."

The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Boeing had not submitted Dreamliner since January 26 from production lines or from dozens stored pending delivery due to documentation issues.

Boeing shares fell 2.6 percent in extended trading following the disclosure, after closing up about 1.0 percent.

In August, the FAA approved the first shipment of 787 since May 2021 after approving the aircraft maker's inspection and modification plans. Boeing delivered 31 jets 787 in 2022 and last month said it would ship between 70 and 80 jets of 787 this year.

Boeing's Chief Financial Officer Brian West said last month in a teleconference "we will need a little longer" to be able to produce five 787 per month later this year. "But we still see 70 to 80 very likely," West said.

Boeing has halted shipments in 2021 after the FAA raised concerns about its proposed inspection method. In September 2020, the FAA said it was investigating manufacturing weaknesses in several 787 jets.

The current problem is not related to previous quality issues involving gaps around the front pressure barriers, which were discovered by the FAA in 2021 and contributed to the termination of shipments lasting until August 2022.