Link to the actual DOT memo [pdf]:
<a href="https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/Audit%20Announcement%20-%20FAA%20Oversight%20of%20Boeing%20737%20and%20787%20Production.pdf" rel="nofollow">https://www.oig.dot.gov/sites/default/files/Audit%20Announce...</a><p>Air carriers transported more than 330 million passengers worldwide on Boeing
aircraft in 2021.1 With the return to service of its 737 MAX aircraft2 and increasing
demand for air travel, Boeing delivered more than 160 new aircraft to air carriers
in the first half of 2022, with a backlog of nearly 4,200 aircraft on order. The
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is responsible for overseeing the safety of
passenger aircraft in the United States, including ensuring that aviation
manufacturers such as Boeing meet safety requirements when producing and
delivering new aircraft.<p>However, since 2019, a number of concerns have been raised regarding
production of the Boeing 737 and 787 aircraft—the two production lines with the
largest number of aircraft on order. Boeing has not delivered any 787 aircraft in
over a year due to production quality issues, and in December 2021, FAA
mandated inspections on certain previously delivered 787 aircraft due to reports
of missed requirements during assembly. In addition, a number of complaints to
Congress, FAA, and our office have alleged ongoing production deficiencies and
undue pressure on Boeing staff in the 737 and 787 production lines.<p>In light of these concerns, the Chairmen and Ranking Members of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its Subcommittee on Aviation
requested that we evaluate FAA’s oversight of Boeing aircraft production.
Accordingly, our audit objectives will be to evaluate FAA’s oversight of Boeing 737 and 787 production, specifically its processes for (1) identifying and resolving
production issues and (2) addressing allegations of undue pressure within the
production environment.<p>We plan to begin the audit in July and will contact your audit liaison to schedule
an entrance conference. We plan to conduct our audit at FAA Headquarters and
regional offices responsible for overseeing Boeing production, as well as relevant
Boeing locations. If you have any questions, please contact me or Tina Nysted,
Program Director.