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Probe at Boeing plant: shoddy workmanship or sabotage?
By Sam Wood
INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
May 14, 2008
Was it an accident, shoddy workmanship or sabotage? Federal authorities this morning still don't know what caused "possible manufacturing irregularities" in two $30 million helicopters produced at Boeing's plant in suburban Philadelphia.
Boeing Co. yesterday abruptly shut down production of Chinook helicopters at its Ridley Park plant after inspectors discovered loose parts in one chopper and severed wires in another.
The "irregularities" were found during testing on the final production line, said U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7).
"We don't know the cause," Sestak said this morning. "We need to find out why this happened and that's what the investigation will tell us today. I think it would be speculative to go beyond that."
Sestak said a spare washer was found in one of the helicopters in a system "where it shouldn't have been."
On a second Chinook, "there were damaged wires that appeared to be severed," Sestak said. "We don't know how or why."
"This is unusual that there'd be two different types of damage," Sestak said. "But to leap to conclusions would be premature."
The problems were found in two new Chinooks - the CH-47F model - that has not yet been deployed to combat zones.
More than 100 Boeing workers were dismissed at midday yesterday and hundreds of others arrived at work last night only to assist with inspections. All assembly work was halted.
It was unclear this morning how long the Chinook assembly line will remain shut down.
Sestak said he did not know if other helicopters produced at the plant would have to be recalled.
"It will depend on the assessment," Sestak said. "If it's systemic -- and I don't think it will turn out to be -- then they would go out to inspect other helicopters."
Army investigators were deployed to the plant last night to inspect the two helicopters.
Boeing is producing 458 Chinooks for the Army under a long term contract meant to modernize its helicopter fleet.
The aircraft's tandem rotor and lack of a tail rotor make it ideal for combat in high-altitude regions, such as the mountains of Afghanistan and Iraq.
Each helicopter costs between $20 million and $30 million.
Contact staff writer Sam Wood at 215-854-2796 or at samwood@phillynews.com . Inquirer staff writer Maria Panaritis contributed to this report.
This article contains information from the Associated Press.
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