The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has decided to remove the authority it had granted Boeing to issue airworthiness certificates for the 787 Dreamliner.
The federal agency – in charge, among other things, of overseeing aircraft safety – told the Wall Street Journal that it plans to «individually inspect and approve each 787». This will be done instead of allowing the manufacturer to do so. This is the latest in a series of hurdles Boeing will have to clear if it wants to resume deliveries of the model, effectively suspended nearly a year ago.
The government agency typically delegates the issuance of airworthiness certificates to the manufacturers themselves. According to congressional investigations, this was one of the main systemic reasons that led to the 737 MAX design flaw. This resulted in 346 fatalities and the suspension of the model’s operations for nearly a year and a half – going undetected. Since then, the FAA has increased pressure on Boeing, not approving design changes and even personally conducting inspections on four 787s that were just coming off the production line.
The agency said in a statement that this decision «will confirm the effectiveness of the measures Boeing has implemented to improve the 787 manufacturing process. According to the regulator, the scrutiny «will be maintained until there is assurance that Boeing’s quality control and production processes comply with federal design standards.»
According to industry estimates, Boeing has about 100 undelivered 787s, valued at more than $25 billion. Deliveries will be on hold until -at least- spring or early summer.
See also: The FAA ready to revamp the entire pilot training process
