Subscriber Update – Boeing 737 Production and Deliveries

We track first flights as a production surrogate and Boeing deliveries on a daily basis for our analytical work.  So far, March is not shaping up to be a stellar delivery month for Boeing, as rework will likely be required for the aircraft that have been produced but not yet delivered.  This subscriber update on production and deliveries is insightful as it reflects the current situation at Boeing.

Through March 11th, we show 16 first flights for a 737 MAX. That means that Boeing

is still producing aircraft at a normal rate, and the wiring issue hasn’t slowed the line. Tracking deliveries, there have been only 3 MAX aircraft delivered in March, which means Boeing has 13 finished airplanes produced this month in inventory, likely awaiting a wiring repair.

Over the years, there have been several wiring issues with commercial aircraft, including issues at Boeing.  Typically, if the potential for chafing a wire exists from contact with another part, the part is altered so that sharp edges are not able to damage the wiring.  In most situations, these have been short-term issues that have been solved relatively easily, once the root cause is found and corrected.