Boeing 777s Flown By United & American Airlines Could Have 'Exploding' Fuel Tanks

The DailyMail has recently reported on a potentially catastrophic flaw in another fleet of Boeing jets. The 777, also known as the Triple Seven, has been identified as having inadequate electrical insulation near its fuel tank, which could lead to a fire or explosion.

FAA Concerns Over Boeing 777s

In March, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) expressed concerns about the safety of the 777 and set a deadline of May 9 for Boeing and third-party experts to provide a response. However, it remains uncertain whether Boeing has taken any action to address these concerns. According to the Airworthiness Directives note, "This condition, if not addressed, could result in an ignition source inside the fuel tank and subsequent fire or explosion."

Proposed Safety Measures

The FAA has suggested that the safety issue could be resolved by "installing electrical bonding and grounding" to prevent short-circuiting "electrostatic discharge to the surrounding structure" around the air intake system near the 777's center-wing fuel tanks. The estimated cost to rectify the issue in the 292 at-risk wide-body planes is approximately $700,000.

Global Use of Boeing 777s

Boeing 777s are used globally, with many of these jets being flown by American and United Airlines. This is the same model of jet that recently experienced a sudden 6,000-foot drop during a flight from London to Singapore.

Boeing Whistleblower Raises Safety Concerns

Last month, Boeing whistleblower Sam Salehpour voiced his "serious concerns about the safety of the 787 and 777 aircraft" to lawmakers on Capitol Hill. Salehpour, who is still alive more than a month after his statement, warned of "premature fatigue failure" on these planes and accused Boeing of "putting out defective airplanes."

Boeing's Growing Problems

With each passing week, Boeing's problems seem to multiply. From a 777 that dropped abruptly to a 747's engine that burst into flames last week, the company has been plagued with mishaps. These include a Boeing 767 cargo plane crash-landing in Turkey, a Boeing 737 crashing after a failed takeoff at an African airport, and a United Airlines Boeing 737 making an emergency return to a Japanese airport due to a wing flap "irregularity."

Impact on Boeing Shares

Boeing's shares have taken a hit over the last 5.5 years, following the twin Max 737 crashes (separate incidents) that resulted in the deaths of 346 people.

Boeing CEO Prepares to Step Down

The negative publicity for Boeing has been immense, leading to the announcement that Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun is preparing to step down at the end of the year.

Conclusion

The issues surrounding Boeing's 777s raise serious questions about the safety of these aircraft. What do you think about the situation? Should airlines continue to use these planes despite the potential risks? Feel free to share this article with your friends and discuss. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.