Safety concerns over the Boeing 787 - last year's Dan Rather show

On Tuesday, September 18, 2007 Lord Patel posted Boeing 787 Dreamliner - ex Boeing engineer with 46 yrs experience raises major concerns about safety on Dan Rather show tonight

This concerned the upcoming Dan Rather show about Vincent Weldon and his concerns about the Boeing 787 jetliner. Vincent had worked for Boeing for 46 years from 1969-2006 - he has worked on structural design of the Space Shuttle Orbiter and wored on composite structures from 1973 - 2006. working with USAF and NASA.

He gives his address as 2970 Initial Avenue,Enumclaw, WA 98022 (360)825-78.

Vincent wrote to The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on July 24thb 2007 (11 page pdf text in full) and outlined his concerns about the Dreamliner as a response to the FAA invitation for people to submit comments in rule making - advertised in the Federal register on Monday 11th 2007.-"proposed Rules"

When Vincent raised his concerns at work he was told ..." You're dangerous, and you need to find another job" . He retired fom Boeng.

The Google video of the Dan Rather program - first 32 minutes of this complete show explains more ...


The complete survivability of the Boeing 777 at Heathrow recently demonstrates the point about crash survivabilty.

To this must be aded the repeatedly expressed concerns ove weight wich resulted in slimming down the wing box, which after stress testing has to be re-designed and strengthened.

In the light of this , a recent Boeing announcement is of interest....

The Boeing Company today (Press Release Feb 6th 2008) announced it has entered into an agreement with India-based TAL Manufacturing Solutions Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Motors Ltd., for manufacturing structural components for Boeing's 787 Dreamliner airplane program.

Under the agreement, TAL Manufacturing Solutions will build floor beams for the 787 using new technology with advanced titanium and composite materials. These floor beams will be used on the 787 Dreamliner and provide for a best-value solution and significant weight savings.

The floor beams for the 787 airplane will be produced at TAL's new facility in Nagpur, India, and then transported to Boeing partners in Japan, Italy and the United States for further assembly.