Spirit AeroSystems, one of the leading manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial airplanes and defense platforms, has acknowledged a quality issue on certain models of the 737 fuselage it produces. However, the company assures that it will continue to supply units to Boeing, as the aerospace giant has determined that there are no immediate flight safety concerns associated with the issue.
Limited Impact on Delivery Range
According to Spirit, the issue is limited to certain units as they use multiple suppliers for the aft pressure bulkhead. Specifically, it involves elongated fastener holes on the aft pressure bulkhead of some 737 fuselage models. While the problem is being addressed through changes in the manufacturing process, Spirit believes that it will not have a significant impact on its delivery range for the year.
Continued Operations of the 737 Fleet
Boeing has confirmed that there are no immediate safety concerns associated with this issue for the 737 fleet. Therefore, the in-service fleet can continue to operate without any restrictions. Spirit AeroSystems is working closely with Boeing to identify and address any impacted units within the production system, ensuring that any necessary rework is carried out.