Boeing Whistleblower Claims His Firing Was Related to Safety Complaints
The Facts
Richard Cuevas, an aircraft mechanic subcontracted to work on Boeing planes, this week alleged he was fired after raising safety concerns relating to poor manufacturing and maintenance work.
Cuevas, who had been an employee of Strom Aviation — a subcontractor of Spirit AeroSystems, also subcontracted by Boeing — said he first raised the complaints in Oct. 2023 after witnessing substandard work on the Boeing 787. Specifically, this was allegedly on its forward pressure bulkhead, the dome at the front of the aircraft.
The Spin
Narrative A
Boeing can't be surprised that hardly anyone believes their response to Cuevas' complaints when you consider he's just the latest in a long line of whistleblowers to describe dangerous practices and troubling problems with aircraft at Boeing. These issues can lead to catastrophic results if the company isn't more transparent with its processes and doesn't work with the government to make sure its safety procedures are impeccable.
Narrative B
Boeing is working diligently to ensure its planes are as safe as possible. It's also striving for transparency — as evidenced by its recently granting journalists access to its manufacturing facilities — to assure the public that there's nothing to fear when taking Boeing aircraft. Boeing will continue to cooperate with government agencies to make sure all their questions are answered.
