Boeing flags potential delays after supplier finds another problem with some 737 fuselages
Washington, Feb 5: Boeing reported another problem with fuselages on its 737 jets that might delay deliveries of about 50 aircraft in the latest quality gaffe to plague the manufacturer.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal said in a letter to Boeing staff seen Monday that a worker at its supplier discovered misdrilled holes in fuselages. Spirit AeroSystems, based in Wichita, Kansas, makes a large part of the fuselages on Boeing Max jets.
"While this potential condition is not an immediate safety issue and all 737s can continue operating safely, we currently believe we will have to perform rework on about 50 undelivered planes," Deal said in the letter to employees shared with the media.
The problem was discovered by an employee of the supplier of the fuselages who notified his manager that two holes might have not been drilled according to specifications, Deal said.
Both Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems are facing intense scrutiny over the quality of their work after an Alaska Airlines 737 Max 9 was forced to make an emergency landing on Jan 5 when a panel called a door plug blew out of the side of the plane shortly after takeoff from Portland, Oregon.
The NTSB is investigating the accident, while the Federal Aviation Administration investigates whether Boeing and its suppliers followed quality-control procedures.
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the only other US airline flying the Max 9, reported finding loose hardware in door plugs of other planes they inspected after the accident. The FAA grounded all Max 9s in the US the day after the blowout. Two weeks later, the agency approved the inspection and maintenance process to return the planes to flying.
Alaska Airlines and United Airlines have begun returning some to service.
Boeing, based in Renton, Washington, said last week it was withdrawing a request for a safety exemption needed to certify a new, smaller model of the 737 Max airliner. Boeing asked federal regulators late last year to allow delivery of its 737 Max 7 airliner to customers even though it does not meet a safety standard designed to prevent part of the engine housing from overheating and breaking off during flight.
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Detergent powder in ice creams to create creamy texture, FDA flags local units in Karnataka: Report
Bengaluru: In a disturbing revelation, inspections by the Food Safety and Drug Administration (FDA) have uncovered that detergent powder was being used in ice creams to achieve a creamy texture in Karnataka.
Nearly half of the state’s local ice cream, ice candy, and cool drink manufacturing units have been flagged by the FDA for selling substandard products under unhygienic conditions, as reported by The New Indian Express.
A senior FDA official revealed that 97 out of 220 shops have been issued notices, while others received warnings for failing to maintain proper storage conditions. "Inspections uncovered shocking violations—detergent powder was being used in ice creams to create a creamy texture, while phosphoric acid, which weakens bones, was found in cool drinks to enhance fizz," the official told TNIE, adding that fines totaling Rs 38,000 were imposed.
With summer setting in and demand for ice cream and soft drinks increasing, the department conducted inspections to evaluate the quality and preparation methods of food commonly consumed by children, focusing on local units involved in producing these items.
Officials discovered unhygienic and poorly maintained storage facilities at some locations. Many manufacturers were found using synthetic milk made from detergent, urea, or starch to reduce costs, the report added.
Additionally, harmful additives like saccharin and non-permitted dyes were being used instead of natural sugar to enhance taste and colour.
Water contamination was another concern, with many units using non-potable water in ice candies and cool drinks. Some manufacturers were also exceeding the permissible limits for flavouring agents.
The FDA also inspected 590 hotels, restaurants, and messes, finding that 214 establishments lacked proper pest control measures. As a result, a fine of Rs 1,15,000 was imposed on these establishments.
