KPLU Local News
(2009-06-23)
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SEATTLE, WA
(KPLU) -
Boeing engineers and their global partners are working around the clock to fix a structural problem with the 7-8-7 Dreamliner. In the latest of nearly two years of delays, Boeing has announced the new aircraft will not be ready for its first flight at the end of the month as promised.
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Boeing says it will be several weeks before they even have new schedule for the first flight and delivery. Executives said when they bent the wings of the 787 during routine tests, more stress showed up than predicted on several small patches of the side body. Now they're looking at a handful of reinforcement options.
Speaking in an early morning conference call, CEO Scott Carson said they first found the problem several weeks ago. They thought they had a temporary solution and would be able to fly by the end of June as scheduled, but then reconsidered.
"Following detailed analysis, which was completed late last week," Carson said, "we decided to postpone first flight until the modification is made and our team is satisfied that we are ready for fully productive flight testing."
Carson called the problem "quite manageable" and says all of the reinforcement options could be carried out without moving the test planes or changing the line up in the factory. Boeing also insists the high level of composite materials used in this plane is not the issue and its performance would not be affected. The company's share price plunged after the announcement. No new Boeing airplane has ever seen such a long and persistent set of delays.
(To hear the full story from KPLU business and labor reporter Bellamy Pailthorp, click "play" above.)
For more information:
Boeing's News Release
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