The Boeing Supplier Under Scrutiny: Spirit AeroSystems

Introduction

A major investigation is underway following the Alaska Airlines blowout, with a key Boeing supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, being placed under scrutiny. Based in Kansas, Spirit AeroSystems is responsible for manufacturing various components of Boeing planes, including the fuselages and door plugs of the 737 Max 9 jets involved in the recent incident. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has launched a formal investigation into Boeing, which will also include an audit of the 737 Max 9 production line and its suppliers.

Possible Quality Control Issues

Cornell Beard, the president of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers chapter representing workers at Spirit's Wichita factory, expressed concerns about potential quality control problems. He believes that the pressure on employees to work at a fast pace may contribute to these issues. According to Beard, there could be unidentified problems with planes worldwide due to the speed at which Spirit AeroSystems expects employees to complete their tasks.

Loose Bolts and Missing Bolts

After the FAA grounded the 737 Max 9, both Alaska Airlines and United Airlines discovered loose bolts during initial inspections. The investigation into Alaska Airlines flight 1282, which experienced the blowout, revealed that four bolts were missing from the recovered door plug. It remains uncertain whether these bolts were ever installed. The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting further tests to determine how the door became loose.

Whistleblower Claims

Joshua Dean, a former quality auditor at Spirit AeroSystems, claims that he was fired after raising concerns about wrongly drilled holes in fuselages. According to Dean, it is widely known within Spirit AeroSystems that making too much noise and causing trouble may result in reassignment. While employees are not encouraged to disregard issues, the company prefers not to have every single problem reported.

Boeing's Response

Boeing has announced new measures to enhance its quality control system. These measures include implementing an additional layer of inspections throughout the build process and requiring Spirit AeroSystems to install the mid-exit door plug. The goal is to address any potential issues before they become more significant problems. However, Spirit AeroSystems has yet to respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.

Conclusion

As investigations continue, the focus remains on the quality control standards of both Boeing and its suppliers. The FAA's formal investigation aims to uncover any potential flaws in the production line and address them promptly. The ultimate goal is to ensure the safety and reliability of Boeing planes, with the collaboration of all involved parties.

Source: Business Insider

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By: psyme@insider.com (Pete Syme)
Title: The Boeing Supplier Under Scrutiny: Spirit AeroSystems
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/boeing-supplier-spirit-aerosystems-scrutiny-over-alaska-blowout-quality-control-2024-1
Published Date: Tue, 16 Jan 2024 13:24:19 +0000