Boeing has mounting numbers of whistleblowers, and the media likes to hide the fact that whistleblowers are suddenly being killed, or die under mysterious circumstances. Which leads us all to ask what is happening?
A mechanic, formerly employed by a Boeing supplier to conduct aircraft repairs, has lodged formal complaints against Spirit AeroSystems, alleging subpar workmanship on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner and claiming his employment was terminated after he reported the issues. The complaints were directed to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration by lawyers from Katz Banks Kumin on behalf of Richard Cuevas, who was contracted through Strom Aviation.
#AVIATION
‼️WHISTLEBLOWER WARNED BOEING OF FLAWS IN 787 DREAMLINER PLANES THAT COULD HAVE ‘DEVASTATING CONSEQUENCES’Richard Cuevas, a mechanic at Strom, a contractor for Boeing manufacturing partner Spirit Aerosystems, claims that he witnessed holes that were improperly drilled… pic.twitter.com/dFB5wDH5VN
— Rula El Halabi (@Rulaelhalabi) June 26, 2024
According to the allegations, Spirit AeroSystems deviated from approved manufacturing processes by altering drilling specifications for fasteners on the forward pressure bulkhead of the 787 without Boeing’s consent. Cuevas raised concerns that these alterations could impact the aircraft’s structural integrity and air pressure control. He initially reported these observations in October via Boeing’s ethics hotline.
The legal team has requested that the FAA investigate potential defects in the 787’s forward pressure bulkhead, a critical component at the front of the aircraft. Boeing responded by stating that an internal review had already addressed Cuevas’ concerns, confirming that there were no safety risks associated with the issues he raised. Boeing also noted it would investigate any new allegations.
Cuevas began his duties at Boeing’s Everett facility in March 2023, focusing on cargo door maintenance on the Dreamliner. He reported encountering questionable practices on three different aircraft. Later, he was reassigned to Wichita, Kansas, to work at a manufacturing plant for Atlas, another Spirit supplier. There, he noticed discrepancies in the size of holes being drilled into the bulkhead. Returning to Everett a month later, Cuevas observed further procedural shortcuts, which he claimed compromised production quality.
🚨🛩️ DEVELOPING: BOEING WHISTLEBLOWER RICHARD CUEVAS SPEAKS OUT
Richard Cuevas, a mechanic who worked on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner aircraft, has come forward with allegations of improper manufacturing at a subcontractor for the Dreamliner program.
According to a statement from… pic.twitter.com/z7pTJMwsjE
— Kacee Allen (@KaceeRAllen) June 26, 2024
During a period when Boeing and Spirit were under heightened scrutiny following a separate incident involving an Alaska Airlines flight, Cuevas reported his findings to management. However, his employment was terminated in March 2023, coinciding with an FAA compliance inspection at the Boeing facility.
In response to the situation, Boeing clarified that it does not influence the personnel decisions of its subcontractors but is aware of and investigating the allegations. Spirit AeroSystems encouraged employees to report any concerns, assuring protection for whistleblowers. Strom Aviation, the contractor that employed Cuevas, has yet to comment on the matter.
Cuevas is represented by attorneys who previously worked with another Boeing engineer, Sam Salehpour. Earlier in the year, Salehpour testified before a Senate committee, accusing Boeing of concealing safety risks associated with the 787 and 777 models. Boeing maintains that these allegations are unfounded, a stance supported by evaluations from retired engineer John Hart-Smith.
BOEING FACES NEW WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS ON 787 JETS
Mechanic Richard Cuevas alleges “substandard manufacturing” at a subcontractor for Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, specifically on the forward pressure bulkhead.
Source: Bloomberg pic.twitter.com/v55cWyPvWo
— PLANET NEWS MONITOR (@planet_monitor1) June 26, 2024
Separately, the FAA has initiated an investigation into the Dreamliner following revelations of falsified inspection records at Boeing’s South Carolina site concerning the integration of wings to the aircraft’s fuselage, an issue unrelated to the claims made by Salehpour.
Major Points:
- Richard Cuevas, a mechanic contracted through Strom Aviation for Spirit AeroSystems, filed complaints with the FAA and OSHA alleging substandard practices on Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
- Cuevas claims that Spirit altered manufacturing processes without Boeing’s approval, potentially compromising the structural integrity of the aircraft.
- He initially reported these issues through Boeing’s ethics hotline and was later terminated after raising concerns directly to management.
- Boeing has reviewed and dismissed Cuevas’ concerns, stating the issues posed no safety risk, but continues to investigate new claims.
- The FAA is conducting a separate investigation into other compliance issues at Boeing, unrelated to Cuevas’ claims.
TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News
