Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into Boeing parts supplier Spirit AeroSystems. The probe will focus on the company’s operations as well as its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Spirit AeroSystems is a major manufacturer of aircraft parts and is responsible for producing fuselages for Boeing 737 and 787 planes, as well as wings for the Airbus A350 and A220.
The investigation comes in the wake of a midair blowout incident involving a Boeing 737 Max 9’s door plug panel. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) preliminary report revealed that four missing bolts on the door plug frame contributed to the incident, resulting in the cabin depressurizing and the flight making an emergency landing. This incident raised concerns about the safety of certain airplane models and their potential risks.
Attorney General Paxton has requested Spirit AeroSystems to provide documents related to manufacturing defects in its products. Additionally, he has called for documents pertaining to the company’s DEI commitments and whether these commitments are compromising its manufacturing processes. Paxton emphasized the importance of maintaining safety standards required by law to protect passengers.
While Spirit AeroSystems has yet to respond to the request for comment, the company faces a deadline of April 17 to provide the requested documents to the consumer protection division of the attorney general’s office. This investigation adds to the ongoing scrutiny faced by Boeing and its suppliers following a series of safety concerns and incidents.
The initial incident occurred on January 5 when a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet during a flight from Oregon to California. This led to United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby threatening to shun Boeing after the carrier’s fleet of MAX 9 aircraft was grounded. Jennifer Homendy, chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, warned that similar incidents could happen again, highlighting a problem with the production process.
In subsequent incidents, a crack in the cockpit window forced a Boeing plane to make an emergency landing in Japan. Another incident involved a Delta flight losing its front tire while preparing for departure. Furthermore, passengers were alarmed to find visible tape on the exterior of a Boeing 787 during a flight to India. A United Airlines Boeing 777-300 also suffered a midair fuel leak, resulting in an emergency landing.
These incidents led to the grounding of all 737 Max 9 aircraft for inspections. Following inspections by airlines, the Federal Aviation Administration, and manufacturers, the aircraft returned to service in late January. However, other issues, such as misdrilled holes on undelivered fuselages of 737 Max jets, have added to the troubles faced by Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems.
Interestingly, Boeing is currently in discussions with Spirit AeroSystems regarding a potential acquisition. Spirit AeroSystems was formerly a Boeing subsidiary before being spun off. While talks are ongoing, there is uncertainty surrounding whether an agreement will be reached and consummated.
The investigation initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton into Spirit AeroSystems adds another layer of scrutiny to the aerospace industry. As concerns about safety and manufacturing processes continue to mount, it remains to be seen how these issues will be addressed and resolved in order to ensure the safety of passengers and maintain the industry’s reputation.
