“While this issue could delay some near-term 737 deliveries, this is the only course of action given our commitment to deliver perfect airplanes every time,” Deal wrote.
The plane maker was notified of the misdrilled holes by an employee at Spirit AeroSystems, the Wichita-based company that makes the fuselages. That prompted broader inspections at Boeing, according to statements from both companies.
“Once notified, we began immediate actions to identify and implement appropriate repair solutions,” a Spirit spokesman said. “We are in close communication with Boeing on this matter.”
Boeing has been under heightened scrutiny from regulators and the public after a door plug blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight last month. The Federal Aviation Administration grounded more than 100 jets after the Jan. 5 incident, which did not seriously injure any passengers. The blowout has been linked to loose bolts that should have held the door plug in place.
Alaska Airlines has estimated the groundings will cost it $150 million, while United Airlines is projecting a first-quarter loss as a result of groundings.
For Boeing, the incidents once again highlight safety issues with the 737 Max. The Max was released for sale in 2016, but the planes were grounded for more than a year starting in 2019 after flight-control systems were involved in two deadly crashes.
The more recent problems with the Max have led the company to dedicate several days this week in its Renton, Wash., factory to “focus on quality,” including inspecting the undelivered airplanes.
