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Boeing's new 787 could be unsafe, Rather to report

Old 09-18-2007, 08:18 PM
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Default Boeing's new 787 could be unsafe, Rather to report

http://www.reuters.com/article/ousiv...8?pageNumber=1

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Boeing Co's (BA.N: Quote, Profile, Research) new carbon-composite 787 Dreamliner plane may turn out to be unsafe and could lead to more deaths in crashes, according to a report by veteran journalist Dan Rather to be broadcast in the United States on Tuesday.
The new plane, which is mostly made from brittle carbon compounds rather than flexible aluminum, is more likely to shatter on impact and may emit poisonous chemicals when ignited, Rather will report based on interviews with a former Boeing engineer and various industry experts, according to a transcript of the show.
"The problem is all the unknowns that are being introduced and then explained away as if there is no problem," said Vince Weldon, a former Boeing engineer, in an interview to be broadcast as part of Rather's report.
Weldon compares a recent crash in a standard aluminum plane where the dented but intact fuselage kept fire at bay and allowed the passengers to leave the plane alive.
"With a composite airframe, the fuselage would not crumple, it would shatter ... that shattered hole would be there for the fire that's going into the airplane," Weldon says in the interview. "Instead of everyone getting out, it would be a far less positive result."
Weldon says he was fired by Boeing after a 46-year career because of his persistent complaints about the design of the 787. He claims he represents the view of others at Boeing who were afraid to speak out.
Boeing, which did not provide officials for on-camera interviews in Rather's report, said on Tuesday Weldon's claims were not valid and the plane would not fly if it is not safe.
"We've looked at Mr. Weldon's claims. We've had technical committees review them. We do an exceptional amount of testing," said Lori Gunter, a spokeswoman for Boeing's commercial plane unit. "Absolutely, these materials are safe. They are tested, they will be certified."
She said the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) must find the 787 to be as crashworthy as aluminum planes, and the plane was doing well in those tests so far. She declined to comment on the circumstances of Weldon's departure from Boeing.

FIRST FLIGHT DELAYED
Boeing's lightweight, fuel-efficient 787, which has become its most successful plane launch ever, is set for its first test flight between mid-November and mid-December after a three month delay due to a shortage of bolts and problems programming the flight control software.
The first 787 is due to be delivered to Japan's All Nippon Airways (9202.T: Quote, Profile, Research) in May next year, meaning it will have at most six months of flight tests, much shorter than previous jetliner programs.
Boeing's rival Airbus, owned by European aerospace company EADS (EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research), is also working on a composite fuselage for its new A350 jet, but it is some years behind Boeing in the design and production process.
In Rather's report, Weldon and other experts also argue that the carbon-composite fuselage would not survive a lightning strike as well as aluminum, would emit toxic fumes when burning, and could easily be damaged without any visible sign.
Weldon says Boeing was misrepresenting to airlines the ease of maintenance on carbon fuselage planes. The report cites experts referring to Airbus planes that had carbon parts with problems that were not easily visible.
Rather's report also includes aviation experts who see little or no problem with the 787.
"I'm excited to ride on the 787. I'm excited to fly in composite aircraft," says Joseph Rakow, an engineer at consulting company Exponent Inc (EXPO.O: Quote, Profile, Research), in an interview in the report.
Todd Wissing, a commercial pilot, says he would fly the 787 as long as the composite materials are rigorously tested.

"We put safety as our top priority," says Wissing in the report. "We use the 21st Century inspection methods with these new materials. Then we have complete confidence that we can get in that airplane with our passengers and go fly because that's what we can do."
The report by former CBS News anchor Dan Rather is the latest edition of "Dan Rather Reports," broadcast on HDNet, a subscription-only television channel that about 4 million Americans are able to view.
Last year Rather left CBS (CBSa.N: Quote, Profile, Research) after a scandal over his reporting on President George W. Bush's military record.
(Reporting by Bill Rigby)
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Old 09-18-2007, 08:25 PM
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Because Dan Rather is known for completely objective reporting...plus the media is always right...
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Old 09-18-2007, 08:37 PM
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I wonder if this was part of Rather's report.

From the Seatttle Times.

But according to a summary of OSHA's findings, Boeing told investigators Weldon was fired for threatening a supervisor, specifically for stating he wanted to hang the African-American executive "on a meat hook" and that he "wouldn't mind" seeing a noose around the executive's neck.
Weldon denied to OSHA investigators that he had referred to a noose and said the "meat hook" reference had not been a threat.

OSHA dismissed Weldon's claim, denying him whistle-blower status largely on the grounds that Boeing's 787 design does not violate any FAA regulations or standards.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...boeing180.html

Last edited by 11Fan; 09-18-2007 at 08:43 PM. Reason: semantics
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Old 09-18-2007, 08:49 PM
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I wonder how much Airbus is paying Dan. With the Dollar down against the Euro, it should be pretty hansome!
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Old 09-18-2007, 08:58 PM
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Is Dan gonna break out some more forged documents?

...and then deny it even months after getting fired for using them?

Last edited by sqwkvfr; 09-18-2007 at 09:49 PM.
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Old 09-18-2007, 09:06 PM
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hmm, I seem to recall that aluminum burns quite readily as well. Not to mention all the plastic in the interior as well as the insulation. Smoke from these fumes are pretty toxic. Would carbon fiber be any less safe? I doubt it, but then I'm not Dan Rather...
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Old 09-19-2007, 02:47 AM
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dan rather = dip****
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Old 09-19-2007, 03:04 AM
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Will someone please remind Dan Rather that if you crash a plane into the ground at 500 mph, it really doesnt matter if the plane is made out of aluminum, composite, or play dough.

You get the same outcome.
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Old 09-19-2007, 04:21 AM
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I would Rather Not listen to him.....

Why doesn't he do an investigative study on why the media is generally off on things that they report; Purely entertainment......
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Old 09-19-2007, 05:31 AM
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Dan Rather probably knows as much about composite aircraft as GWB knows about running this country and going to war. I will say in his defense that he's a great passenger and treats the crews with respect, something you don't find much these days.
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