Boeing (NYSE:BA) is investigating a new quality issue with its 787 Dreamliner, having discovered that hundreds of fasteners were incorrectly installed on the fuselages of some undelivered jets, Reuters reported Thursday.
This latest manufacturing issue involves the incorrect "torquing" or tightening of more than 900 fasteners per plane, split equally between both sides of the jet's mid-body.
Although there is no immediate concern about flight safety, Boeing is working to determine the cause of the problem and will decide on necessary rework once the investigation is complete, Reuters said, citing sources with knowledge of the matter.
Boeing shares fell 0.6% after the market open.
The fasteners, which attach the carbon-composite skin to the longerons inside the fuselage, had been torqued from the wrong side, the report says.
Reuters said Boeing confirmed the inspections.
"Our 787 team is checking fasteners in the side-of-body area of some undelivered 787 Dreamliner airplanes to ensure they meet our engineering specifications. The in-service fleet can continue to safely operate," a spokesperson said.
"We are taking the time necessary to ensure all airplanes meet our delivery standards prior to delivery. We are working closely with our customers and the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) and keeping them updated.”
Although deliveries have been slower than usual due to an earlier production slowdown, they have not been paused, according to FlightRadar24 tracking data.