Boeing said during fabrication of the 787 horizontal stabilizer it learned some components were clamped with greater force than specified, which could result in improper gap verification and shimming.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said Tuesday it “is investigating manufacturing flaws affecting certain Boeing 787 jetliners. The agency continues to engage with Boeing.”
The horizontal stabilizer issue could require the inspection of as many as about 900 airplanes.
Boeing said the stabilizer issue is not an immediate safety of flight issue and it is correcting it on airplanes not yet delivered.
Boeing said Tuesday it expects the inspections will affect the timing of 787 deliveries in the near-term.