Page 16 - Boeing

Boeing stops its first astronaut launch because of Atlas rocket glitch

Boeing called off its first astronaut launch because of a valve problem on the rocket Monday night. The two NASA test pilots had just strapped into Boeing's Starliner capsule when the countdown was halted, just two hours before the planned liftoff. A United Launch Alliance engineer, Dillon Rice, said the issue involved an oxygen relief valve on the upper stage of the company's Atlas rocket. There was no immediate word on when the team would try again to launch the test pilots to the International Space Station for a week-long stay. It was the latest delay for Boeing's first crew flight, on hold for years because of capsule trouble. In a situation like this, if we see any data signature is not something that we have seen before, then we are just simply not willing to take any chances with what is our most precious payload, Rice said. Starliner's first test flight without a crew in 2019 failed to reach the space station and Boeing had to repeat the flight. Then the company encountere

Sunita Williams strapped in seat when Starliner mission was called off

First crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner spaceship was to depart from the Kennedy Space Centre when launch was cancelled due to an issue with an oxygen relief valve

Sunita Williams' 3rd space mission called off; Boeing Starliner fails again

Nasa announced there was an off-nominal condition on an oxygen relief valve, which led to the postponement; both astronauts were safe

FAA to probe Boeing after workers in US falsified 787 inspection records

The Federal Aviation Administration said Monday it has opened an investigation into Boeing after the beleaguered company reported that workers at a South Carolina plant falsified inspection records on certain 787 planes. Boeing said its engineers have determined that misconduct did not create "an immediate safety of flight issue". In an email to Boeing's South Carolina employees on April 29, Scott Stocker, who leads the 787 program, said a worker observed an irregularity in a required test of the wing-to-body join and reported it to his manager. After receiving the report, we quickly reviewed the matter and learned that several people had been violating Company policies by not performing a required test, but recording the work as having been completed, Stocker wrote. Boeing notified the FAA and is taking swift and serious corrective action with multiple teammates, Stocker said. No planes have been taken out of service, but having to perform the test out of order on planes will slow

Sunita Williams set for historic mission as Starliner readies flight to ISS

Indian-origin astronaut Williams will be accompanied by fellow Barry "Butch" Wilmore on the Crewed Flight Test mission, marking the Starliner's first flight to the International Space Station

Airbus stays humble even as Boeing flounders; Here's the reason

In the latest round of their decades-long battle for dominance in commercial aircraft, Europe's Airbus established a clear sales lead over Boeing even before the American company encountered more fallout from manufacturing problems and ongoing safety concerns. Airbus has outpaced Boeing for five straight years in plane orders and deliveries, and just reported a 28% quarterly increase in net profit. It was already winning market share by beating Boeing to develop a line of fuel-efficient, mid-sized aircraft that are cheaper for airlines to fly. And now Boeing is facing a government-mandated production cap on its best-selling plane. Yet the European company is unlikely to extend its advantage in the Airbus-Boeing duopoly much further despite having customers clamoring for more commercial aircraft, according to aviation analysts. The reason: Airbus already is making planes as fast as it can and has a backlog of more than 8,600 orders to fill. Its ability to leverage Boeing's troubles

Boeing to launch astronauts in new capsule, expanding space travel

After years of delays and stumbles, Boeing is finally poised to launch astronauts to the International Space Station for NASA. It's the first flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule with a crew on board, a pair of NASA pilots who will check out the spacecraft during the test drive and a weeklong stay at the space station. NASA turned to US companies for astronaut rides after the space shuttles were retired. Elon Musk's SpaceX has made nine taxi trips for NASA since 2020, while Boeing has managed only a pair of unoccupied test flights. Boeing program manager Mark Nappi wishes Starliner was further along. There's no doubt about that, but we're here now. The company's long-awaited astronaut demo is slated for liftoff Monday night. Provided this tryout goes well, NASA will alternate between Boeing and SpaceX to get astronauts to and from the space station. A look at the newest ride and its shakedown cruise: THE CAPSULE White with black and blue trim, Boeing's Starliner capsule is abou

US DOJ plans to decide by late May if Boeing violated prosecution deal

Federal prosecutors had agreed to ask a judge to dismiss a criminal charge against Boeing so long as it complied with the deal's terms over a three-year period

Boeing Co's revival road map put to test by dwindling time and cash

Chief Executive Officer Dave Calhoun put an optimistic spin on the embattled company's outlook as he presented Boeing's earnings on Wednesday

Boeing hunting for new CEO to mend damage done by safety incidents

Late last month, the company announced that Calhoun would step down at the end of the year, much earlier than expected

Boeing Q1 results: Loss at $355 mn as revenue declines amid safety concerns

Boeing posts a USD 355 million loss as the plane maker tries to dig out from under its latest crisis

Boeing, Spirit agree on $425 mn deal to address supplier's issues

Spirit will also provide to Boeing specified financial information on a weekly basis

Boeing expects slower growth in 787 production rate and deliveries

Boeing said its 787 production rate was five per month during the last quarter of 2023

Prioritising quality, safety of Boeing products over production: Alaska Air

The Boeing situation is rippling through the industry, compelling airlines to adjust their fleet plans at a time travel demand is projected to hit record levels

Boeing's safety culture to come into spotlight at US Senate hearings

Boeing has been grappling with a crisis that has undermined its reputation following the Jan. 5 mid-air panel blowout on a 737 MAX single-aisle plane

Boeing plane's mid-air blowout result of ignorance to safety: FAA panelist

The company is preparing a 90-day plan to overhaul its quality and safety practices in response to the panel's findings

Boeing to ask operators for new 787 checks linked to jet's multiyear review

Boeing's latest recommendation comes as it responds to mounting scrutiny of its manufacturing and safety practices

US Senate committee to hold hearing today on Boeing safety culture report

The panel's report was directed by Congress after fatal 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia in 2018 and Ethiopia in 2019 that killed 346 people, including panel member De Luis' sister in the Ethiopian crash

Boeing CEO to testify on jetliner safety after whistleblower charges

A Senate subcommittee has summoned Boeing CEO David Calhoun to testify about the company's jetliners in an inquiry prompted by new safety-related charges from a whistleblower. The panel said it will hold a hearing next week featuring a Boeing quality engineer, Sam Salehpour, who is expected to detail safety concerns involving the manufacture and assembly of the 787 Dreamliner. The subcommittee said in a letter that those problems could create potentially catastrophic safety risks. Boeing would not say whether Calhoun plans to attend the April 17 hearing. In response to a query from The Associated Press, a spokesperson said only that the company is cooperating with the subcommittee's inquiry and has offered to provide documents, testimony and technical briefings. The Federal Aviation Administration has also been investigating Salehpour's allegations since February, according to the subcommittee. The FAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Salehpour, whose concerns

Here's how Boeing's latest crisis could imperil 2021 DOJ crash agreement

Justice Department officials are probing whether Boeing has complied with that 2021 agreement and are considering the Jan. 5 blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 jet as part of that review