Aviation

FAA Proposes Critical Maintenance Checks on Some Boeing 787 Dreamliners

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a proposed airworthiness directive (AD) in response to a report from Boeing indicating that certain inspections of the Boeing 787 main landing gear (MLG) were missed during production.

This oversight, attributed to human error, was discovered during the manufacturing process of four drag brace lower link assemblies of the MLG, where a required fluorescent penetrant inspection was omitted.

The FAA’s notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) revealed that the missing inspections were identified in a Boeing report. The report highlighted that the fluorescent penetrant inspection, crucial for detecting cracks in the MLG drag strut lower link assemblies, was not performed on four assemblies during their manufacturing.

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The FAA emphasized the potential risks associated with this oversight. If the issue is not addressed, there is a risk of MLG collapse, which could lead to a loss of directional control while the aircraft is on the ground. This scenario could increase the risk of a runway excursion or even fuel tank penetration.

The FAA’s subsequent investigation determined that the safety lapse was caused by human error and was isolated to a single technician. Undetected cracks could lead to the fracture of the part, creating an “unsafe condition” that may cause the landing gear to collapse, according to the regulator.

This finding comes at a time when Boeing is under heightened scrutiny from regulators. A mid-air blowout on one of its 737 Max jets in January uncovered manufacturing and quality lapses at its factories. In response, Boeing has been making strides to address these issues, including encouraging more employees to report problems they observe on the shop floor.

Additionally, in May, the FAA disclosed a separate investigation involving the 787 after Boeing alerted authorities to potentially missed inspections. These inspections were meant to confirm adequate bonding and grounding where the wings attach to the aircraft body.

Aviation

China Eastern Receives Its Ninth C919 Aircraft, Marking a New Milestone

China Eastern Airlines (CEA) has reached a significant milestone with the delivery of its ninth COMAC C919 aircraft, continuing its lead as the launch customer for China’s domestic narrow-body airliner.

On Thursday, the airline received the latest addition to its fleet, registered as B-657T, marking another step in China’s ambitious efforts to establish itself as a key player in the global aerospace market.

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This delivery is part of a major achievement for COMAC (Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China), which has now delivered a total of 10 comac c919 in 2024 alone, a remarkable increase from just three jets delivered by the end of 2023.

The C919 program represents China’s entry into the competitive market for commercial aircraft, aiming to rival the dominance of manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing in the narrow-body sector.

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One standout feature of the c919 is its innovative in-flight technology, particularly its Wi-Fi system. Developed by the China Electronics Technology Group Corporation (CETC), this system allows passengers to connect to the “CEAIR-WIFI” wireless hotspot, providing seamless access to in-flight entertainment.

Through the website www.muflyer.com, travelers can enjoy a range of features including “Air Cinema” and “Air Games,” which enhance the flying experience.

Looking ahead, COMAC’s ambitions are not limited to narrow-body aircraft. At the 15th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition in Zhuhai, c919 aircraft price made waves with the announcement of over 100 new aircraft orders.

A significant highlight was a high-profile agreement with Air China for the development of the C929, a widebody aircraft set to compete c919 vs a320 and c919 vs 737 with these models.