Flightglobal:

Alenia Aeronautica has halted production of two major 787 structural components due to wrinkles in the fuselage skin caused by manufacturing flaws in subcomponents of the one-piece composite barrel, according to a ...

Author: Jon Ostrower

Date: 14 August 2009

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 Another delay, another sizeable issue for Boeing to face and one separate to the wing issue that they already know about.

From Flightblogger:

This structural issue, sources say, appears entirely separate from the wing fix.  Section 44 and 46 are two of the four major structural components that comprise the integrated center fuselage. Section 44, a bonnet section, sits directly on top of the center wing box (section 45/11) while section 46, a complete barrel, is joined to the aft part of the center wing box.

 In the two years since AirSpace started we have debated long and hard about this programme and its growing delays and backlogs. See for example the following threads:

• Boeing delays 787 for three months
• Confirmed: Boeing to Delay 787 First Flight Three More Months
• Qatar Airways issues stern warning to Boeing to quickly resolve 787 delay issues
• Boeing announces delay to 787 first flight and deliveries
• Which will will fly first? Sukhoi Superjet 100 or Boeing 787

The question is, how many more delays is this programme going to go through before even first flight? Surely this is seriously impacting on the impressive backlog that Boeing sought out at the start and how long can the programme chiefs stay in play while these things are happening?

Mav

 The doomsday scenario continues in this piece which says that there are "significant problems with a number of systems for the 787" which could take up to two more years to solve. I guess these type of sources and stories of doom are inevitable for such a delayed programme but still it is a worry!

Perhaps this aircraft could more accurately be called the 'Boeing Daydream' as it's concept is like something hurriedly cooked up in an opium den to try and get one over on EADS with their 380/350 products - they were not perfect either I know but at least enough time was allowed to fix the 380 wiring problem and come up with a mature production/business plan for the 350.  What a screwed up hotch potch the big B have landed themselves with - I certainly don't envy them their job of recovering from this mess.  They could sub-contract the lot to Lockheed and go commit business hari-kari somewhere.

"They could sub-contract the lot to Lockheed and go commit business hari-kari somewhere."

Visions of 787 re-borne as Constellation MkII 

OR DO WHAT AIRBUS DID................. CONTRACT SOME MAINTENANCE TO CHINA!!!!!!