Boeing Moves Top Executive to Fix Aerial Tanker Project

By Jon Ostrower 

Boeing Co. has assigned its aircraft development chief to right its troubled aerial refueling tanker project, on the heels of a surprise $835 million charge to its second-quarter earnings, the company said in an internal memo to staff.

Scott Fancher, vice president of airplane development, will take on "a special interim assignment to provide senior executive oversight and increased management support to the tanker program," according to the memo from Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing's newly appointed chief executive.

The new assignment adds to Mr. Fancher's current role overseeing the company's new jetliner development programs. Bob Feldmann, vice president and general manager of the 777X jetliner development, will also become Mr. Fancher's deputy in the development role on programs such as the stretched 787-10 and single-aisle 737 Max.

Mr. Fancher is no stranger to troubled programs, having served as head of Boeing's flagship 787 Dreamliner program from 2008, helping to right production and complete development after 3 1/2 years of delays.

Boeing on July 17 announced it was taking a 77 cent per share charge against its earnings after testing revealed issues with the jet's fuel system. The company aims to deliver the first 18 new KC-46 tanker aircraft to the U.S. Air Force by August 2017.

A Boeing spokesman confirmed the content of the message.

Write to Jon Ostrower at [e-mail]

Subscribe to WSJ: http://online.wsj.com?mod=djnwires