A supplier has found further issues with the 737 fuselage, with two holes reported to have not been drilled properly. Boeing said in a statement that the issue means the company will have to perform additional work on approximately 50 undelivered aircraft. It added that the issue is not an immediate flight safety issue with all operating 737s able to continue safe flight operations.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO and president Stan Deal said: ""While this issue could delay some near-term 737 deliveries, this is the only course of action"". The company is committing to resolve the issue and make the manufacturing issue its first priority, going so far as to not provide a 2024 outlook in its fourth quarter and full year results for 2023 as it continues to grapple with the issue. The delay for the aircraft will provide ample time for inspections and any necessary rework required.
Deal added: ""Many employees voiced frustration with travelled work and how unfinished jobs - either from our suppliers or within our factories - can ripple through the production line."" Deal agreed with the employees and said jobs needed to be performed at their assigned position. ""We have to maintain this discipline within our four walls and we are going to hold our suppliers to the same standard,"" said Deal.
737 program employees have submitted over 1,000 improvement ideas for the quality control program, which will implement initiatives such as setting up a team to expedite the purchase of new tools for its teams. It has also ordered additional stands to improve ease of access to areas of the aircraft, based on employee feedback.
Supplier finds more issues with 737 fuselages causing further delays
