Boeing is facing a new safety crisis as nearly 300 of its 777 jets are at risk of catastrophic failure due to an electrical fault. This flaw, identified as “electrostatic discharge,” poses a significant danger to the planes’ fuel tanks, potentially causing the wings to catch fire or even explode, according to a new report by TMZ.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) uncovered the flaw and issued a notice stating that approximately 300 aircraft, including those in the fleets of United Airlines and American Airlines, are affected. The FAA recommended that Boeing undertake immediate measures to address the issue, which would involve new electrical bonding and grounding processes at an estimated cost of $698,000.
This electrical fault was first reported by the FAA in March, with a deadline for Boeing to respond by May 9. However, there has been no confirmation on whether Boeing has issued a response. A Boeing spokesperson described the March notice as part of “proposed rulemaking,” intended for Boeing to provide input before the FAA mandates fixes for the 777 series.
This development adds to Boeing’s ongoing public relations challenges. The company has been grappling with a series of safety issues, including incidents of doors blowing off mid-flight, engine fires, and fatal crashes.
John Barnett, a former quality manager at Boeing and a whistleblower, previously issued warnings about the company’s neglect of safety concerns. Barnett, who tragically died by suicide while involved in a lawsuit against Boeing, had been vocal about the company’s safety lapses.
With this latest safety concern, Boeing faces increased scrutiny and pressure to ensure the safety of its aircraft and address the identified flaws promptly. The aviation industry and the public await further explanations and actions from Boeing regarding this critical issue.
Source: TMZ
