FAA faults Boeing over quality control problems

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Made Boeing responsible for quality control. The problem arose in the wake of a mid-air explosion earlier this year.

The agency said in a statement Monday that a six-week audit of the aviation giant and Spirit AeroSystems, a manufacturer connected to the incident that triggered the audit, “revealed multiple allegations of non-compliance with manufacturing quality control requirements by both companies. He said he had discovered a case.

“The FAA has identified nonconformance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process controls, parts handling and storage, and product controls,” the FAA said in a statement. “The FAA is making these details available to the public as an update on this ongoing investigation.”

A spokesperson told The Associated Press that no further details could be released because the investigation into Boeing is ongoing.

The results of the audit were shared with Boeing and Spirit.

According to the Associated Press, Spirit spokesman Joe Buccino said the company welcomed the FAA audit and would review its findings.

“We are in communication with Boeing and the FAA regarding appropriate corrective action,” he said, according to the news agency.

Boeing confirmed last week that it is in talks to reacquire Spirit Aerosystems, the company that manufactured the fuselage and door plug that flew off during an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 flight from Oregon to California. Spirit was separated from Boeing in 2005, according to the Associated Press.

“We have worked closely with Spirit AeroSystems and its leadership to enhance the quality of the commercial aircraft we build together,” Boeing said in a statement Friday. “As a result of our collaboration, we can confirm that preliminary discussions have taken place to make Spirit AeroSystems part of the Boeing Company again.”

Last week, the FAA gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan to address “systemic quality control” issues following the findings of an audit and panel of experts into the aviation giant.

“Boeing needs to commit to real fundamental improvements,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said after meeting with Boeing CEO and President David Calhoun. “Making fundamental change will require a sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we will hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutual understanding of milestones and expectations. .”

In an email, Boeing referred The Hill to Calhoun’s statement and said the company “has a clear picture of what needs to be done.”

“Transparency has been throughout all of these discussions,” Boeing’s CEO said.

“Boeing will develop a comprehensive action plan with measurable standards that demonstrate the significant changes required by Secretary Whitaker and the FAA,” Calhoun continued. “Our Boeing leadership team is fully committed to meeting this challenge.”

The Associated Press contributed.