VOA新闻杂志2024--Boeing Faces Another Manufacturing Delay Affecting 50 Planes

Boeing Faces Another Manufacturing Delay Affecting 50 Planes

Boeing announced this week that it was delaying the delivery of about 50 new planes to its customers because of a newly discovered manufacturing problem.

The American airplane company is under increased scrutiny¹ after part of one of its latest 737 passenger airplanes blew open mid-flight in early January.

The unused door opening of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 blew out on January 5 as it took off from Portland, Oregon. The part is called a "door plug." It closes off a space that would normally have an emergency exit in it. The door plug permits air carriers to have a few more seats on the plane instead of the exit.

No one was hurt in the Alaska Airlines incident, but the plane suffered serious damage.

Investigators² said bolts meant to secure the door plug were not tightened³ properly. Many airplanes owned by Alaska Airlines and United Airlines were prevented from flying as the panels were fixed⁴. Most are now flying again.

The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restricted the production of Max 9 planes until it is satisfied with Boeing's safety measures.

Now another problem has come up.

An employee of a company that makes parts for Boeing said some holes were not drilled correctly in the window frames of some Max jets.

That company, Spirit AeroSystems, is also being looked at in more detail after the Alaska Airlines incident. Its parts were used to secure the door that blew out in January.

One of Boeing's top leaders is Stan Deal. In a letter, Deal wrote that the company would have to "perform rework on about 50 undelivered planes," but it is not a safety problem for airplanes currently in use.

The continued problems caused the leader of another airline, Emirates, to criticize Boeing.

Tim Clark is the president of Emirates, a major airline based in Dubai. He noted⁵ a "progressive decline." He said the manufacturer must "instill a safety culture which is second to none," noting the company's leaders likely understand this is their last chance to regain⁶ lost confidence.

Both United Airlines and Alaska Airlines have expressed their anger at Boeing in recent weeks. United's leader, Scott Kirby, said it may consider purchasing planes from another manufacturer in the future.

The FAA said it is paying more attention to Boeing's large production center in Washington state. Jodi Baker⁷ is the agency's deputy associate administrator⁸ for aviation safety. Baker said the FAA plans to visit the factory and talk with employees who build the airplanes to find out about their concerns and the company's safety culture.

Because of the recent problems, Boeing said it would withdraw a request it made with the FAA. The company wanted permission to deliver a smaller version of the 737 MAX airplane before redesigning a system that prevents the build-up of ice on engine inlets.

Words in This Story

scrutiny –n. the act of investigating or looking closely at something or someone

bolt –n. a fastener which secures two pieces together using a screw

frame –n. an outer structure that holds something else in

undelivered –adj. something not given or sent to the person who ordered it

decline –n. a decrease in height or quality

instill –v. to cause something to be created over time through thoughtful effort

aviation –n. the industry of flight in the Earth's atmosphere

inlet –n. an opening that leads into an engine

1 scrutiny   

n.详细检查，仔细观察

参考例句：

• His work looks all right,but it will not bear scrutiny.他的工作似乎很好，但是经不起仔细检查。
• Few wives in their forties can weather such a scrutiny.很少年过四十的妻子经得起这么仔细的观察。

2 investigators   

n.调查者，审查者( investigator的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This memo could be the smoking gun that investigators have been looking for. 这份备忘录可能是调查人员一直在寻找的证据。
• The team consisted of six investigators and two secretaries. 这个团队由六个调查人员和两个秘书组成。 来自《简明英汉词典》

3 tightened   

收紧( tighten的过去式和过去分词 )； （使）变紧； （使）绷紧； 加紧

参考例句：

• The rope holding the boat suddenly tightened and broke. 系船的绳子突然绷断了。
• His index finger tightened on the trigger but then relaxed again. 他的食指扣住扳机，然后又松开了。

4 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

5 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

6 regain   

vt.重新获得，收复，恢复

参考例句：

• He is making a bid to regain his World No.1 ranking.他正为重登世界排名第一位而努力。
• The government is desperate to regain credibility with the public.政府急于重新获取公众的信任。

7 baker   

n.面包师

参考例句：

• The baker bakes his bread in the bakery.面包师在面包房内烤面包。
• The baker frosted the cake with a mixture of sugar and whites of eggs.面包师在蛋糕上撒了一层白糖和蛋清的混合料。

8 administrator   

n.经营管理者，行政官员

参考例句：

• The role of administrator absorbed much of Ben's energy.行政职务耗掉本很多精力。
• He has proved himself capable as administrator.他表现出管理才能。