Another journalist has made allegations that some parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner plane were constructed in an uncomfortable manner, possibly leading to “devastating effects.”
Richard Cuevas, a mechanical employed by Strom, a former company, has filed issues with two US firms, claiming he faced retaliation after raising fears about possible developing problems on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
According to his Katz Banks Kumin lawyers, Cuevas was fired in March 2024 after he exposed manufacturing variations in the forward force wall, a critical element for managing stress during planes, as per CNN information.
Who is Richard Cuevas?
In an incident involving a 737 MAX airplane operated by Alaska Airlines in January, Richard Cuevas is the most recent whistleblower to come forth from Boeing’s functions, further enhancing the investigation the airline company is facing.
Cuevas worked for Strom, a contracting firm that gave him a position working for Spirit AeroSystems, the company that built the Dreamliner’s fuselages.
Cuevas allegedly complained to Boeing in October 2023 that Spirit had modified the size of the fastener holes in the 787 aircraft’s forward pressure bulkhead in violation of the law.
In October 2023, Spirit management was informed that the Boeing had begun an investigation into his concerns. During this period, Cuevas says a colleague commented, “we’ve got a snitch among us”, and in March, Spirit abruptly terminated his employment.
Our client experienced significant issues with the forward pressure bulkhead assembly on a number of aircraft, according to Katz Banks Kumin, who deviated from Boeing’s specifications.
He acknowledged the subpar work and expressed concern for his safety concerns, but Spirit and Boeing continued to use flawed manufacturing methods. Mr. Cuevas was fired when his manager found out that an employee complained about these issues, and suspected that employee was Mr. Cuevas”, he added.
What problems did Cuevas find problematic in the Boeing?
Cuevas claimed that he had noticed gaps in two aircraft’s forward pressure bulkheads that could have” catastrophe” caused by his work.
Cuevas witnessed the improper drilling of holes into the forward pressure bulkheads of 787 planes at Spirit’s facility in Wichita, Kansas, during 2023,” which he believes could compromise power and air pressure on the planes, posing a serious safety risk to passengers.
He informed management that he believed Spirit was keeping the issues from Boeing in a report to the company’s ethics hotline.
Cuevas witnessed these issues with three of the planes he worked on, and he thinks at least 10 to 12 of them, either in production or already being delivered to Boeing, may be affected by them.
Boeing has stated in response to the allegations that they had previously looked into Cuevas ‘ claims and found that there was no safety issue.
The bulkhead is a critical component of an airplane’s structure, essential for maintaining the aircraft’s integrity while in flight.
What were the previous complaints?
A previous whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, a Boeing engineer, reported similar gaps in 787 and 777 aircraft. Beginning in 2021, the FAA and Boeing have ordered the first of two years of new Dreamliners to fill those gaps.
Sam who testified before the Senate in April about his concerns about the 787’s manufacturing practices and the retaliation he faced for speaking out is also represented by the same attorneys.
More than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward with allegations against Boeing in recent years, and the number has grown significantly since a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane in January, leaving a significant hole in the side of the plane, according to CNN.
A current Boeing employee claimed last week that the company tried to conceal missing or out-of-spec parts from regulators and lost track of them because they feared they might have been installed on aircraft carrying passengers.
What the company said?
A subcontractor’s employee previously reported concerns to us, according to the Boeing, and we have taken any safety-related matter seriously into consideration. The issues raised did not pose a safety risk, according to engineering analysis, and were resolved.
They continued,” We are reviewing the documents released today and will thoroughly examine any new allegations.”
According to a company spokesman Joe Buccino, Spirit leadership is aware of the allegations and is looking into the matter. We advise all Spirit employees to report concerns so they can be assured that they will be protected.
In a letter of submission, Cuevas ‘ attorneys complained to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, claiming that Boeing’s and Spirit’s statements to the public and investors about the safety of 787 Dreamliners are deceptive based on his direct observations of glaring safety issues.
Boeing has been the subject of numerous investigations by the FAA, and the US Department of Justice has indicated that it may face criminal charges for its ongoing quality and safety failings.
The FAA stated,” We strongly encourage anyone with safety concerns to report them, and we thoroughly investigate any reports.”
The FAA estimates that it has received 126 of these reports in the current year, compared to the 11 that were submitted last year.
