Spirit AeroSystems has acted swiftly to resolve the manufacturing component responsible for the problem.
BNR – A recent revelation by Boeing has uncovered a fresh quality concern surrounding its 737 MAX aircraft. The issue involves supplier Spirit AeroSystems and revolves around improperly drilled holes in a critical component of the aircraft’s structure.
The aviation giant stated that the flaw will result in delays for impending deliveries. The situation prompted Boeing to evaluate whether it can meet its annual target of delivering over 400 737s this year.
In response to this news, Boeing’s stock value experienced a decline of 2.7%. Furthermore, Spirit’s shares witnessed a notable drop of 6.1% in after-hours trading.
Delivery Schedule Disrupted
This new supply chain problem is the latest obstacle to disrupting the delivery schedule of the 737 MAX series. Boeing previously disclosed an issue in April involving Spirit AeroSystems, wherein improper bracket installations affected a connection in the aircraft.
The current issue has prompted Boeing to postpone the anticipated delivery of the first MAX 8 to Malaysia Airlines. The Asian carrier had planned an arrival event for 28 August.
Spirit AeroSystems mentioned that the hole problem has an impact limited to certain 737 MAX 8 models. It further expressed confidence that the delivery projections for the year would not be significantly affected.
The defect is presently believed to be confined to the MAX 8 variant. However, Boeing is also investigating the potential impact on older 737 Next Generation aircraft. The extent of rectification required for the affected aircraft remains uncertain and will depend on individual aircraft conditions.
Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems Address Quality Issues
Despite the issue, Boeing assured stakeholders that unaffected 737 aircraft are still being delivered. The aviation company acknowledged that the issue was identified recently but refrained from providing detailed clarification.
Moreover, Spirit AeroSystems has acted swiftly to resolve the manufacturing component responsible for the problem.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also highlighted that the issue does not impact safe flights. Trade publication The Air Current first brought attention to Spirit AeroSystems’ involvement in the aft pressure bulkhead work.
