787 First Flight Delayed

[Saj_A]

This is breaking news, and I will update on my site as I get more info from Boeing.

Click (http://www.fleetbuzzeditorial.com/2008/11/04/boeing-787-first-flight-delayed/)

[Mike W]

Good grief. This is becoming as farcical as the 380. I expected more from Boeing and this fastener thing, what's the go there? Has less than a tradtionally built airliner yet this is not the first time it's caused issues.

I wouldn't be surprised if there is more to this and not the union strike either. :confused:

[Saj_A]

Well, things are going to get worse.

The 737 line has an issue only just now admitted by Boeing (http://www.fleetbuzzeditorial.com/2008/11/07/737problem/).

It has to do with a tiny part on the 737 line known as a nutplate. Nutplates are very small metallic strips with holes at either end, from which bolts are inserted to hold together components within the airplane.

The nutplates are installed by major supplier Spirit Aerosystems in Wichita, Kansas. The issue is being described a quality assurance non-conformity issue. This was apparently discovered by Spirit employees.

The anomaly pertains to a protective finishing on these nutplates that prevent corrosion. Some of these small plates have been manufactured incorrectly and are deemed “unusable” according to one Boeing Renton employee.