A wing and a Prayer
 

SBS Dateline | A Wing and a Prayer

It might be worth watching this episode. If you're not in Australia, you'll have to view the transcript: SBS Dateline | A Wing and a Prayer

"Could airline giant Boeing really have allowed ill-fitting and dangerous parts into the construction of some of its 737 planes, potentially risking the lives of passengers?

Dozens of the planes are in Australian skies and there have been three suspicious crashes elsewhere in the world, but an investigation screened on Dateline alleges that Boeing and the United States authorities have taken little action.

Two former Boeing employees turned whistleblowers, Gigi Prewitt and Taylor Smith, are at the heart of the story.

They say they couldn't keep quiet any longer over defective parts being made by a subcontractor, Ducommun, which they say were then allowed into 737 Next Generation planes between 1996 and 2004… some even had to be hammered into shape or packed with filler to make them fit".

Just came across it whilst browsing world news.

I think it was shown here the other night. Didn't bother watching.

It was aired originally on Aljazeera

On a wing and a prayer - People & Power - Al Jazeera English

Interesting to put events like the Southwest 737 that had a hole in the fuselage, Boeing has stated it was a result of a manufacturing defect, the same sort of defects that were stated in the Aljazeera report.

http://www2.tbo.com/mgmedia/image/60...n-jet-in-ariz/

PLovett...

What were you afraid of learning by watching? Do you believe the former employees are liars? Do you believe companies act in the interest of safety over money?

interesting...

sounds like "...thats the way we've been doing it for years - why change?"

They should have never stopped building 727s. The 727 never had the problems that the 737 has had.

Exactly how many incidents/accidents/fatalities have resulted from these defects? In the same time frame how many million passenger miles were safely flown?

Always a good idea to keep some perspective on issues. Also in the US whistle blowers stand to collect substantial cash. Another thing to consider.

Edited - I read the transcript and it did not impress me. Several of the statements are clearly out of touch.

The star technical advisor, DR MICHAEL DREIKOM, does not have any engineering qualifications.He has a Doctorate in Education in Human Resource and Organizational Development from The George Washington University's Executive Leadership Program education. Strangely that was not mentioned in the documentary.


20driver

Conpilot

I agree 100%...To my limited knowledge a B-727 has never had a fatal accident due to Mechanical Defects or Design...