Posted on 06/14/2024 8:25:53 AM PDT by T.B. Yoits
The problem has been traced back to a Chinese supplier.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating an issue involving the authenticity of titanium used in Airbus and Boeing jets after a supplier discovered holes in the metal due to corrosion. This has raised suspicions that a supply chain partner may have falsified documentation, much like the AOG Technics scandal uncovered last year.
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.
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.
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 been 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
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.
(Excerpt) Read more at simpleflying.com ...
Roger-Roger.
Had to look up the 220. It apparently fills the slot that Boeing abandoned when it killed off the last of the DC-9 family - 717.
Over, Unger..
Simply Flying is an excellent site.
Oh, you youngsters that don't know history. Try the republicans saving Lockheed during the 1970s. Rolls Royce was the root cause there. That's what got the bailout ball rolling.
It is not a highly technical site but has ‘simple’ in the name after all.
I worked in government aviation during the 1960’s.
The only component I inspected thoroughly was manufactured by a British company…Martin Baker.
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