JCC The Airline Disaster Thread

Boeing Confirms Discussions About Acquiring Spirit AeroSystems - FLYING Magazine

Spirit Aerosystems, not to be confused with Spirit Airlines, has been getting all kinds of bad publicity for being the subcontractor that built and shipped the 737 fuselages with the bolts missing from the door plugs. Until I read this article, I did not know that they were originally owned by Boeing. It looks like getting reacquired by Boeing is their only hope, since Boeing is still "too big to fail."

 

Bizjet flight went wrong, but the rescue went off perfectly.

 

NTSB Chief Testifies That Boeing Is Stonewalling on 737 Door Plug Blowout - FLYING Magazine

 

This one is probably not Boeing's fault. FAA Probe Underway After Boeing 777 Drops Wheel Following Takeoff - FLYING Magazine

But this one might be. NTSB Investigates Boeing Rudder Malfunction Incident in Newark - FLYING Magazine

 

Plus side: my flights to and from Japan are on Airbus

Downside: my flights to and from Hawaii are on Boeing 737 MAXs



Pray for me

 

Wear your seatbelt.

 

Boeing whistleblower found dead of a "self-inflicted gunshot wound."

John Barnett had worked for Boeing for 32 years, until his retirement in 2017.

In the days before his death, he had been giving evidence in a whistleblower lawsuit against the company.

...After retiring, he embarked on a long-running legal action against the company.

He accused it of denigrating his character and hampering his career because of the issues he pointed out - charges rejected by Boeing.

At the time of his death, Mr Barnett had been in Charleston for legal interviews linked to that case.

Last week, he gave a formal deposition in which he was questioned by Boeing's lawyers, before being cross-examined by his own counsel.

He had been due to undergo further questioning on Saturday. When he did not appear, enquiries were made at his hotel.

He was subsequently found dead in his truck in the hotel car park.
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Either the stress of the interminable legal proceedings did it or something shadier is going on. Boeing bears responsibility regardless.

 

This phenomenon is notably common (whether due to a technical issue of turbulence) and is a good example why they put those lighted signs above your head that any idiot should understand.

 

Yeah, thought it may have been a technical malfunction in this case, I implore you do not Google "violent clear air turbulence" as there have been some horrific stories. And yes, they are not kidding with the "if you're just hanging in your seat. please keep your seatbelt fastened"...

 

Nothing to see here move along

 

FAA Boeing Audit Illuminates 737 Production Issues - FLYING Magazine

 

Another day, another Boeing-related incident.

 

Some of the defenses, particularly of the tire falling off, include "It's not Boeing's fault that airlines are skimping on maintenance!" How is another company dangerously cutting corners any better?

 

Yeah, but this one really almost certainly isn't Boeing's fault, even if it happened to a Boeing plane.

It's not any better, but it plays into the media pile-on of every incident being a "Boeing" issue -- even though this is the second tire issue in the last week apparently, tire issues on planes are exceptionally rare and two similar incidents happened to Airbus planes about 8 weeks apart in 2023.

But this is something that happens infrequently and pilots do the right thing an divert to the nearest airport just in case.

 

It's clearly an industry-wide issue and failure of regulation in the United States (for the love of God please give us trains), and Boeing is by far the most prominent US civilian aviation company and leading the pack. I'm not particularly bothered if they get blamed for a few things that miraculously are not their fault.

 

Boeing whistleblower dead by "self-inflicted" gunshot had said, "If anything happens, it's not suicide," according to a friend.

Still could be suicide and his friend is having trouble accepting it. Looking even more suspicious, though.

 

I just find it weird, if it was staged, that it was after he testified... like, you'd think Boeing would have killed him earlier?

 

It doesn't have to be the leadership or even Boeing at all. There are a lot of people and institutions who have a vested interest in the company who could be motivated to kill him or somehow pressure him to kill himself. There are also a lot of idiot suits out there who may not have thought this through. Like I said, though, it could simply be that the stress of a 7-year lawsuit and a grueling deposition took its toll. There should be a thorough investigation.

 

White Paper: Boeing's Troubles May Crash Its Marketshare - FLYING Magazine

 

I mean, Boeing's planning skills haven't been great lately, and they've had some issues making deadlines.

 

Yeah, but you'd expect this guy's clip to fall out and then him to slip on a banana peel out of his car door in that case...

 

'Changes…Need to Happen,' Boeing Official Says - FLYING Magazine

Boeing says they're going to stop obsessing over keeping planes moving on the assembly line, and they're going to make sure everything is done as it should be before moving them forward to the next station. That's a good idea, but I'm sure it's not enough by itself.

 

I'm pleased to report that I survived my recent trip to New York. I flew three Airbus planes and an Embraer 175.

 

Wow you are certified to fly a wide range of planes.