Posted on 09/18/2007 4:33:53 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Dan Rather Expected to Report Boeing 787 Unsafe
Tuesday , September 18, 2007
NEW YORK — Boeing Co's (BA) new carbon-composite 787 Dreamliner plane may turn out to be unsafe and could lead to more deaths in crashes, according to a report by veteran journalist Dan Rather to be broadcast in the United States on Tuesday.
The new plane, which is mostly made from brittle carbon compounds rather than flexible aluminum, is more likely to shatter on impact and may emit poisonous chemicals when ignited, Rather will report based on interviews with a former Boeing engineer and various industry experts, according to a transcript of the show.
"The problem is all the unknowns that are being introduced and then explained away as if there is no problem," said Vince Weldon, a former Boeing engineer, in an interview to be broadcast as part of Rather's report.
Weldon compares a recent crash in a standard aluminum plane where the dented but intact fuselage kept fire at bay and allowed the passengers to leave the plane alive.
"With a composite airframe, the fuselage would not crumple, it would shatter ... that shattered hole would be there for the fire that's going into the airplane," Weldon says in the interview. "Instead of everyone getting out, it would be a far less positive result."
Weldon says he was fired by Boeing after a 46-year career because of his persistent complaints about the design of the 787. He claims he represents the view of others at Boeing who were afraid to speak out.
Boeing, which did not provide officials for on-camera interviews in Rathe
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
Aerospace engineer Dan speaks. The news media whores are experts in everything: military tactics, aviation, global warming, you name it.
Do the world a favor and step in front of a truck, Dan.
If Dan Rather falls in a forest.........................................does anyone care?
Sure, Dan. Move to France and fly Airbus, ya freak.
The SR-71 was a composite hull in its time. Proved to be far advanced, even today.
Having worked with composites since the early 70’s, this guy is full of crap. Composites are Extremwely Strong and do not shatter as witness the bodies of the race cars that keep the drivers safe in the most horrific crashes. I believe Boeing and believe this idiot is under contract by Rather and Airbus!
Vince Weldon was fired from Boeing after threatening a black supervisor (noose, etc). Then, he filed a complaint with OSHA, saying he was fired for being a whistleblower. OSHA tossed the claim in the trash can.
Now this is how he gets Boeing back.
All you have to mention is “Dan Rather” and I’m already doubtful of the claims.
On impact. Anybody else notice the operative word in this sentence? When a plane lawn-darts into the ground, does it really make that much difference whether the material bends, tears, breaks, shatters or foams?
sounds like he’s a paid spokesman for AIRBUS!!!
I defer to Dan’s experience level when it comes to the subject of crashing and burning.
Dan who???? Guess old Dan didn’t get enough crap from his last screw-up. What hubris. Just about anyone else would have disappeared into the woodwork after screwing up the way he did last time.
Oh well, it will be entertaining when he discovers that his whistle blower is dead wrong.
As opposed to, say, all the plastics already in the ALUMINUM airplanes?? ANY type of fire these days more emits "poisonous chemicals" (of course ANY fire also emits poisonous chemicals---just a different mix of them).
What BS.
I hope Boeing sues Weldon’s butt off along with Blather!
If Boeing drops, say, 10 points on this “information”...
all I can say is,
“Thank you Dan Rather, for this buying opportunity!”
46 years at Boeing? How old is this guy? You don’t usually see a 70 year old still working. If he’s been there that long I’m sure he has a huge pension.
I would think the impact itself would be far more harmful to the occupants than some “poisonous gases” created by a fire.
“It’s not really the fall that kills you, it’s the sudden stop at the end.....”
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