FAA investigating false titanium parts on Airbus and Boeing
jets
As first reported by The New York Times, Airbus and Boeing
partner Spirit AeroSystems has alleged that titanium used on recently-built
aircraft at both planemakers may have been falsely verified, leading the FAA to
launch an investigation.
According to an FAA statement,
"Boeing reported a voluntary disclosure to the FAA
regarding procurement of material through a distributor who may have falsified
or provided incorrect records. Boeing issued a bulletin outlining ways
suppliers should remain alert to the potential of falsified records."
Apparently, Italian parts supplier Titanium International
Group found small holes in titanium in December 2023, and also raised
suspicions about the authenticity of documentation. It notified Spirit
AeroSystems of the issue, which in turn informed Airbus and Boeing in January
2024. According to three anonymous sources close to the matter, affected planes
include those built between 2019 and 2023 and involve the Boeing 737 MAX, 787
Dreamliner and Airbus A220 programs. Specifically, the parts are used on:
- Passenger and cargo doors, plus a component connecting engines to the airframe, on the 787 Dreamliner.
- Heat shields protecting a component connecting engines to the airframe on the 737 MAX and A220.
The problem has been traced back to a Chinese supplier that
sold titanium to Turkish company Turkish Aerospace Industries in 2019.
Documentation from this Chinese supplier claimed that the titanium had bee”
sourced from another Chinese firm, Baoji Titanium Industry – however, Baoji
Titanium has confirmed that it did not provide this batch of titanium “and has
no business dealing with this company.”
Airbus and Boeing tests find no problems
According to a Boeing statement, the issue affected “some
shipments of titanium received by a limited set of suppliers,” with tests
showing the correct titanium alloy was used. While the company will remove any
suspect parts from its aircraft before delivery, it states that in-service
aircraft “can continue to fly safely.”
Likewise, Airbus has conducted tests on parts sourced from
the same supplier and iterated that “the A220’s airworthiness remains intact.”
Spirit AeroSystems removes suspect parts
Upon discovering the issue, supply partner Spirit
AeroSystems moved swiftly to identify and remove the parts. The company said it
conducted more than 1,000 tests to “confirm the mechanical and metallurgical
properties of the affected material,” adding that the titanium is of sufficient
quality for the aerospace industry. Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson Joe Buccino
commented.
“This is about titanium that has entered the supply system
via documents that have been counterfeited. When this was identified, all
suspect parts were quarantined and removed from Spirit production.”
Buccino added that aircraft equipped with unverified
components will likely remove the parts no matter what happens to be on the
safe side. The issue highlights the complexity of the global aviation supply
chain and is strongly reminiscent of the AOG Technics scandal when the UK-based
supplier falsely verified parts used on the CFM 56 engine.