Boeing Pushes its Unfinished 777s Through Production Amid Strike

SEATTLE- Reports reveal Boeing is accelerating production of 777 aircraft despite quality control concerns and an impending machinists’ strike.

The manufacturer reportedly moves planes with thousands of incomplete tasks and missing components through its Everett facility production line.

Photo: Boeing

Boeing Unfinished 777

Workers on the 777 line report conducting work significantly out of sequence, sometimes even outside the factory. This push comes as Boeing faces intense scrutiny over safety incidents and whistleblower allegations, prompting calls for improved quality control.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed production caps on Boeing aircraft in response to these concerns. However, recent reports from The Seattle Times suggest Boeing’s actions contradict its claims of slowing production to enhance quality.

Management at the Everett facility aims to have three near-complete Boeing 777F aircraft ready and finish the fuselage of a new Boeing 777-9 before a potential strike involving over 33,000 machinists begins next week.

This urgency forces mechanics to install parts out of sequence and perform tasks in unorthodox locations, including on the flight line.

Supply chain issues are exacerbating the situation, causing shortages of necessary components. The rush to complete aircraft before the potential strike has led to a significant deviation from standard production procedures.

Photo: Cado Photo

Five Left with Minimum Parts

Reports indicate five Boeing 777Fs have exited the factory with only minimal systems installed, highlighting the severity of the supply chain issues.

The scarcity of components has led to a controversial practice within the production line. Boeing has reportedly resorted to removing parts from existing aircraft in the factory and installing them on 777s closer to delivery.

This cannibalization extends beyond the factory floor, with reports revealing that parts have been taken from completed 777-9s stored at Everett Paine Field (PAE).

The situation raises serious regulatory concerns, as these part removals allegedly occurred without proper notification to relevant teams or adequate documentation. This practice violates Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations, potentially jeopardizing Boeing’s compliance and aircraft safety standards.

In response to these allegations, Boeing has initiated a review of documentation for aircraft in storage. The company aims to ensure accurate record-keeping and has urged employees aware of undocumented parts removal to report through Boeing’s ‘Speak Up’ system.

Boeing also faces challenges in selling the 777X to US carriers despite securing 481 orders from international airlines. The 777X, Boeing’s latest widebody offering, aims to replace the aging 747 and Airbus A380 with improved efficiency for long-haul, high-capacity routes.

What are your thoughts on Boeing’s mismanagement and latest issues with production? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

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