Boeing reports new window frame problems on about 50 737 MAX planes

A Boeing supplier reported the embattled company discovered poorly drilled holes in the fuselages of about 50 undelivered 737 MAX planes, even though the company said the problem does not affect flight safety and that it is working to fix it.

The problem was reported last Thursday by Spirit AeroSystems, the supplier that manufactures the 737 MAX fuselages. This is an “edge margin” or space issue in holes drilled in the window frame of some of the planes, a source told Reuters.

Boeing’s chief commercial officer, Stan Deal, thanked staff in a letter for alerting the supplier’s employee who reported the nonconformity.

“While this potential condition is not an immediate flight safety issue and all 737s can continue to operate safely, we currently believe we will have to rework about 50 undelivered aircraft,” he stated.

For his part, Joe Buccino, who serves as a representative for Spirit AeroSystems, told Reuters that a member of his quality control team discovered the problem that did not meet the supplier’s engineering standards.

This new setback adds to the one that occurred earlier this year, when an Alaska Airlines plane of this type had to make an emergency landing in California due to the loss of a door plug in mid-flight.

The company will have to dedicate several “factory days” this week at its Seattle plant to repair the defects and complete other pending work. These days allow workers to take a break from normal work and tackle specific tasks without shutting down production, according to Reuters.

With information from Reuters / New York Post