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Boeing refutes damning documentary

11 Sep 2014 by Clement Huang

Boeing’s Dreamliner continues to take heat after a documentary titled “Broken Dreams: The Boeing 787”, featuring interviews with employees of the American manufacturer provided a damning review of the aircraft’s development process.

The hour-long documentary by Doha-based broadcaster Al Jazeera is being shown online in the United States. It highlights the history of the B787 development, along with the many technical issues faced by the aircraft last year. In particular, the piece alleges that “Boeing altered its quality standards” in order to speed up the schedule.

Footage captured on a hidden camera by an alleged Boeing employee revealed several worrying details. For instance, the employee records one of his colleagues stating that he “wouldn’t fly on one of these planes because I see the quality of the [things] going down around here”.

Al Jazeera attempted to get a response from Boeing vice president and general manager of B787 programme, Larry Loftis regarding the findings that it had made. However, the interview was abruptly stopped by the company’s communication director who stated that Boeing would review the information and draft a response in writing accordingly.   

While the use of hidden cameras may not be the most satisfying means of investigative reporting, and the neutrality of the documentary is in question, Boeing issued a press statement response to the television programme.

The company stated: “the promotional trailer and published media reviews suggest that what has been produced is as biased a production as we have seen in some time. It is unfortunate that the producers of this television program appear to have fallen into the trap of distorting facts, relying on claims rejected by courts of law, breathlessly rehashing as 'news' stories that have been covered exhaustively in the past and relying on anonymous sources who appear intent only on harming The Boeing Company”.

For more information, visit boeing.com

Clement Huang

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