Boeing Whistleblower: New Claims of Unauthorized Changes to Critical Aircraft Component

Wichita, Kansas, Kansas United States of America
Attorneys representing Cuevas witnessed critical issues with forward pressure bulkhead assembly on multiple planes, filed complaints with FAA and OSHA.
Boeing reviewing documents, investigating new claim. Spirit looking into matter.
Boeing whistleblower, Richard Cuevas, filed complaints with US agencies alleging unauthorized changes to critical aircraft component on 787 Dreamliner.
Cuevas worked as a contractor for Strom at Spirit AeroSystems and claimed fastener hole dimensions in forward pressure bulkhead were altered without Boeing's knowledge.
Previous whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, testified in Senate about concerns over 787 manufacturing practices.
Boeing Whistleblower: New Claims of Unauthorized Changes to Critical Aircraft Component

Another whistleblower comes forward, claiming to have witnessed dangerous manufacturing problems on Boeing's 787 Dreamliner. Richard Cuevas filed complaints with two US agencies, alleging he was fired after raising concerns over manufacturing deviations in the forward pressure bulkhead, a critical component that ensures cabin pressure during flights. This is the latest in a series of whistleblower claims against Boeing, adding to scrutiny of the plane maker following a recent inflight incident on a 737 MAX operated by Alaska Airlines. Cuevas worked as a contractor for Strom, which assigned him to Spirit AeroSystems, the company responsible for building fuselages for the Dreamliner. In October 2023, Cuevas filed an ethics complaint with Boeing, alleging that Spirit had made unauthorized changes to fastener hole dimensions in the forward pressure bulkhead on 787 aircraft without notifying Boeing. The attorneys representing Cuevas stated that they witnessed critical issues with the forward pressure bulkhead assembly on multiple planes that deviated from Boeing's specifications. They also filed complaints with the Federal Aviation Administration and the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, stating that in their opinion, Boeing's and Spirit's statements to the public about the safety of 787 Dreamliners are fraudulent. The attorneys also represent Sam Salehpour, a Boeing engineer who testified in April in the Senate about concerns over 787 manufacturing practices and claimed to have been retaliated against for speaking. Boeing said it is not involved in personnel decisions of subcontracts, stating that it is reviewing the documents released by the whistleblower and will thoroughly investigate any new claim. Spirit said they are aware of the allegations and are currently looking into the matter, encouraging all employees with concerns to come forward.


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Confidence

85%

Doubts
  • It's not clear if the alleged manufacturing deviations pose an immediate safety risk.
  • The attorneys' opinion that Boeing and Spirit statements are fraudulent requires further investigation.

Sources

82%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

Whistleblower warned Boeing of flaws in 787 planes that could have ‘devastating consequences’

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Gabe Cohen, Wednesday, 26 June 2024 20:27
  • Unique Points
    • A whistleblower, Richard Cuevas, claimed that parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes were built in an unsafe manner at Spirit Aerosystems’ Wichita, Kansas facility in 2023.
    • Cuevas witnessed holes that were improperly drilled into the forward pressure bulkheads of two aircraft he helped build.
    • The forward pressure bulkhead is a crucial part of an airplane’s body and helps keep the structure intact while in flight.
    • Cuevas filed a complaint with Boeing and Spirit about substandard manufacturing and maintenance processes, but was fired a few months later.
    • Boeing investigated Cuevas’ allegations and determined they did not pose a safety concern.
    • Previous whistleblower Sam Salehpour reported similar gaps in 787 and 777 aircraft in 2021, leading to a halt in Dreamliner deliveries.
    • More than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward against Boeing in recent years due to quality and safety concerns.
    • The FAA has opened multiple investigations into Boeing and the US Department of Justice may file criminal charges against the company for ongoing quality and safety failures.
  • Accuracy
    • Cuevas believes the improperly drilled holes could compromise power and air pressure on the planes, creating serious safety risks for passengers.
  • Deception (30%)
    The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the whistleblower's position and ignores Boeing's statement that engineering analysis determined the issues raised did not present a safety concern. The article also uses emotional manipulation by implying potential 'devastating consequences' without providing any evidence to back up this claim.
    • The gaps he observed in the plane’s forward pressure bulkheads appeared in two aircraft that he helped build and could potentially lead to ‘catastrophe.’
    • The whistleblower has come forward Wednesday alleging parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes were built in an unsafe manner – potentially leading to ‘devastating consequences.’
    • Cuevas claims that he witnessed holes that were improperly drilled into the forward pressure bulkheads of 787 planes at Spirit’s Wichita, Kansas, facility in 2023.
  • Fallacies (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Bias (90%)
    The authors use language that depicts Boeing in a negative light and suggest potential danger to passengers due to the alleged manufacturing issues. They also mention previous safety concerns and investigations against Boeing.
    • and he feared they may have been installed on planes that are carrying passengers.
      • could potentially lead to 'catastrophe'
        • more than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward against Boeing in recent years
          • potentially leading to 'devastating consequences'
            • The FAA has opened multiple investigations into Boeing and the US Department of Justice said it may file criminal charges against the company because of its ongoing quality and safety failures.
              • the number has grown substantially since a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane in January just after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side the plane.
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              95%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              New Boeing (BA) Whistleblower: Mechanic Claims of Lapses on Some 787 Jets

              Bloomberg News Now Allyson Versprille Thursday, 27 June 2024 02:19
              • Unique Points
                • A subcontractor mechanic named Richard Cuevas raised concerns about work he observed on Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
                • The mechanic claimed there were substandard manufacturing and maintenance practices on the plane’s forward pressure bulkhead.
                • The forward pressure bulkhead is a critical component located in the jet’s nose that maintains cabin pressure.
              • Accuracy
                • ]A whistleblower, Richard Cuevas, claimed that parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes were built in an unsafe manner at Spirit Aerosystems’ Wichita, Kansas facility in 2023.[
                • Cuevas believes the improperly drilled holes could compromise power and air pressure on the planes, creating serious safety risks for passengers.
              • Deception (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Fallacies (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Bias (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              76%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Whistleblower warned Boeing of flaws in 787 planes that could have ‘devastating consequences’

              Yahoo Finance Gabe Cohen, Thursday, 27 June 2024 02:20
              • Unique Points
                • A whistleblower, Richard Cuevas, claimed that he witnessed improperly drilled holes in the forward pressure bulkheads of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes at Spirit Aerosystems’ Wichita, Kansas facility in 2023.
                • Cuevas believes the workers were drilling holes larger than Boeing’s specifications to clear excess paint, which could compromise power and air pressure on the planes, creating serious safety risks for passengers.
                • At least 10 to 12 planes may be affected by these issues either in production or already released to Boeing.
                • Previous whistleblower Sam Salehpour reported similar gaps in 787 and 777 aircraft, leading to a halt in Dreamliner deliveries for nearly two years.
                • More than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward against Boeing in recent years, and the FAA has opened multiple investigations into the company. The US Department of Justice may file criminal charges against Boeing due to ongoing quality and safety failures.
              • Accuracy
                • More than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward against Boeing in recent years due to quality and safety concerns.
              • Deception (30%)
                The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the whistleblower's position and ignores Boeing's statement that engineering analysis determined the issues raised did not present a safety concern. The article also uses emotional manipulation by implying potential 'devastating consequences' without providing concrete evidence.
                • A growing list of problems for Boeing
                • For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
                • The number has grown substantially since a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane in January just after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side the plane.
              • Fallacies (85%)
                The authors use inflammatory rhetoric by describing the potential consequences of the alleged manufacturing issues as 'devastating' and 'potentially leading to catastrophe'. They also quote Cuevas using similar language when describing the gaps he observed in the plane's forward pressure bulkheads. However, they do not provide any evidence or reasoning to support these claims beyond what Cuevas has alleged.
                • ]A whistleblower has come forward Wednesday alleging parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner planes were built in an unsafe manner potentially leading to ‘devastating consequences.’[
                • Cuevas claims the workers were drilling holes slightly larger than Boeing’s specifications to ‘clear excess paint from the holes and speed up a slow process,’ which, he believes, could compromise power and air pressure on the planes, creating serious safety risk for the passengers on board.[
                • The claims aren’t new: A previous whistleblower, Sam Salehpour, a Boeing engineer, said he found and reported similar gaps in 787 and 777 aircraft. For nearly two years starting in 2021, the FAA and Boeing halted deliveries of the new Dreamliners while it looked into the gaps. Boeing said it made changes in its manufacturing process, and deliveries ultimately resumed.[
                • The growing list of problems for Boeing[
                • More than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward against Boeing in recent years, and the number has grown substantially since a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane in January just after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side the plane.[
                • Last week, for example, a current Boeing employee claimed that the company tried to shield broken or out-of-specification 737 Max plane parts from regulators and lost track of them – and he feared they may have been installed on planes that are carrying passengers.[
                • The FAA has opened multiple investigations into Boeing and the US Department of Justice said it may file criminal charges against the company because of its ongoing quality and safety failures.[
                • Boeing’s CEO Dave Calhoun last week apologized for Boeing’s recent safety failures in testimony delivered to a Senate committee but pushed back on claims that the company retaliated against those who brought safety issues to light.[
              • Bias (80%)
                The authors use language that depicts Boeing in a negative light and imply potential danger to passengers due to the alleged manufacturing issues. They also mention previous whistleblower reports and investigations into Boeing's quality and safety failures.
                • A growing list of problems for Boeing
                  • More than a dozen whistleblowers have come forward against Boeing in recent years, and the number has grown substantially
                    • The FAA has opened multiple investigations into Boeing and the US Department of Justice said it may file criminal charges against the company because of its ongoing quality and safety failures.
                      • The number has grown substantially since a door plug blew off a 737 Max plane in January just after takeoff, leaving a gaping hole in the side the plane.
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication

                      97%

                      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                      Another Whistleblower Comes Forward On Boeing 787 Program

                      Barron's Financial Group AFP - Wednesday, 26 June 2024 22:50
                      • Unique Points
                        • A whistleblower named Richard Cuevas came forward on March 2024, alleging he was retaliated against after flagging potentially dangerous manufacturing problems on the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
                        • Cuevas filed complaints with two US agencies, Katz Banks Kumin, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), stating that he was dismissed suddenly after raising concerns over manufacturing deviations in the forward pressure bulkhead.
                        • The attorneys representing Cuevas stated that their client witnessed critical issues with the forward pressure bulkhead assembly on multiple planes that deviated from Boeing’s specifications.
                      • Accuracy
                        • Cuevas had previously filed an ethics complaint with Boeing in October 2023, alleging Spirit AeroSystems made unauthorized changes to fastener hole dimensions in the forward pressure bulkhead without notifying Boeing.
                        • Boeing stated they were not involved in personnel decisions of subcontractors but were reviewing the documents released and investigating any new claim.
                      • Deception (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Fallacies (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Bias (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication

                      81%

                      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                      Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787's windscreen cracks at 40K feet, forcing terrified crew to reroute San Francisco-bound flight

                      New York Post Lauren Elkies Saturday, 22 June 2024 22:21
                      • Unique Points
                        • A Virgin Atlantic Boeing 787-9 suffered damage to its cockpit windscreen three hours into a flight from London’s Heathrow Airport to San Francisco.
                        • The windscreen crack penetrated the multiple layers of glass.
                        • The incident occurred at an altitude of 40,000 feet, somewhere between Greenland and Iceland.
                        • Pilots tried to alleviate passengers’ fears of cabin decompression.
                      • Accuracy
                        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
                      • Deception (10%)
                        The author uses sensational language in the title and body of the article to grab the reader's attention. The title implies that the windscreen crack was a terrifying event for all on board, when in fact it only affected the cockpit crew. The body of the article also mentions several incidents involving Boeing planes, implying a pattern or trend with no clear connection between them other than they are all Boeing planes. This is selective reporting.
                        • The windscreen of a Boeing jet cracked midair, terrifying the cockpit crew and forcing a Virgin Atlantic flight to San Francisco to do an about-face
                        • It was just the latest in a string of scary incidents for the aerospace company.
                      • Fallacies (95%)
                        The author does not commit any formal or informal fallacies in the provided text. However, there are a few instances of inflammatory rhetoric and dichotomous depictions that slightly lower the score. The author uses phrases like 'scary incidents for the aerospace company', 'frightened as', and 'latest issue for the embattled plane manufacturer' to create an emotional response in readers, which can be considered inflammatory rhetoric. Additionally, there is a dichotomous depiction of Virgin Atlantic's windscreen crack incident being 'just the latest in a string of scary incidents for the aerospace company', implying that all incidents involving Virgin Atlantic and Boeing are negative and dangerous. These instances do not significantly impact the overall score but lower it slightly.
                        • ]The latest issue for the embattled plane manufacturer[.
                        • ']scary incidents for the aerospace company[.', ']frightened as[.
                      • Bias (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication
                      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                        None Found At Time Of Publication