Boeing has discovered another production issue with its 787 Dreamliner aircraft, this time involving improperly installed fasteners on some undelivered planes. The company says the issue does not affect the safety of the already-in-service Dreamliners and that deliveries of new planes will continue uninterrupted.
This is the latest in a series of production problems that have plagued Boeing’s 787 assembly facility in North Carolina.
The newly discovered issue involves fasteners on the sides of the fuselage that may not have been tightened to the proper specifications. Boeing is currently inspecting undelivered Dreamliners to determine the extent of the problem and whether any repairs are needed. The company downplayed the potential impact on deliveries, but a news report indicated that hundreds of fasteners per plane may need rework.
The Federal Aviation Administration is aware of the issue and is investigating it further.
