#United States #Washington #Boeing 787-9 #FlyersRights #Safety Advocates

Demand for Immediate Safety Improvements for the Boeing 787-9

In a strong response to the devastating crash of the Boeing 787-9 last summer, which resulted in the tragic loss of 260 lives, the largest passenger advocacy group in the United States, FlyersRights, alongside a coalition of seven esteemed aviation safety experts, is making a clarion call for significant safety changes to the aircraft. The group has formally urged the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to mandate immediate inspections and repairs concerning a dangerous design flaw linked to lavatory water leaks.

Background of the Incident

The catastrophe, which involved Air India Flight 171, remains a haunting reminder of aviation risks that can lead to catastrophic outcomes. Following this incident, which saw the loss of power to both engines during takeoff, it quickly became evident that critical electronics positioned beneath the lavatory area were at risk of malfunction due to potential water damage from these leaks. Despite the FAA being aware of the leak issues for several years, no immediate resolution has been proposed, drawing heavy criticism from safety advocates.

FlyersRights President Paul Hudson has reported that neither DOT Secretary Sean Duffy nor FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford responded to their urgent requests for action. The group, alarmed by the FAA's slow response, emphasizes that their proposed compliance timeframe extending to 2030 is unacceptably lengthy. Hudson asserts, "This is a serious safety concern that requires immediate corrective action. We cannot wait five years, hoping there isn’t another electrical failure aboard a packed Boeing 787-9."

Collections of Concern and Call to Action

Ed Pierson, Executive Director of the Foundation for Aviation Safety, echoed this sentiment, voicing his outrage regarding the FAA's proposed timeline and stressing that an exhaustive examination of all possible failure scenarios is essential before any blame is placed on the pilots of the ill-fated flight. He insists that significant investigation is necessary to ensure such a tragedy is not repeated.

In the United States, major airlines such as American and United operate a collective fleet of around 140 Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Globally, over 1200 of these widebody jets are in service, reflecting their popularity within the industry. The Air India crash stands as the first reported fatal accident involving the 787-9, marking a critical point in aviation safety history.

FlyersRights has garnered support from a group of seven prominent aviation safety advocates, who are calling for both the FAA and Boeing to initiate an immediate and thorough review of the risks posed by water leakage to the aircraft's electronic systems. This group includes notable figures such as:

• - Ed Pierson: Former Senior Manager at Boeing's 737 factory and current Executive Director for the Foundation for Aviation Safety.
• - Ajit Agtey: A former Chief Test Pilot of the Indian Air Force, bringing invaluable flight testing experience.
• - Chris Witkowski: Director of Air Safety at the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA and an FAA Aviation Rulemaking Advisory Committee member.
• - Geoffrey Barrance: A retired aeronautical and avionics safety expert with a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades.
• - Captain Daniel Gellert: A former airline pilot and test pilot who is also trained in aircraft accident investigation by the FAA and NTSB.
• - Dr. Javier de Luis: An aerospace engineer and lecturer at MIT specializing in aeronautics and astronautics.
• - Chris Moore: An engineer who tragically lost his daughter in the Ethiopian Airlines 737 MAX crash.

These advocates underline the urgent need for a permanent solution to mitigate the water risks threatening crucial electronics on the Boeing 787-9, advocating for the safety of passengers and crew. The organization believes that the push for immediate action cannot be overstated, and fears that without prompt intervention, the repercussions of another accident could be catastrophic.

Moreover, Hudson has emphasized that the lives of thousands of travelers depend on rigorous and swift actions to remedy the outlined issues. For any further inquiries or to join the advocacy efforts, interested parties may contact Paul Hudson directly at 410-940-8934 or via the FlyersRights email.

As the aviation industry continues to evolve, ensuring safety and reliability in transportation remains paramount. The ongoing dialogue initiated by FlyersRights and the safety experts signals a pivotal moment for improving aviation standards and protecting passenger lives effectively.