U.S. FAA probing claims some Boeing jets contain counterfeit titanium
Global News
Airbus also confirmed to Global News that it was aware of the situation and at least one type of aircraft impacted, though tests show their "airworthiness remains intact."
The use of titanium in some recently manufactured Boeing jets is under scrutiny by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration.
The FAA says it’s investigating whether false or incorrect records were used to verify the materials’ authenticity. The issue, first reported by the New York Times on Friday, revolves around a material that is an important component in the industry’s supply chain. Titanium is used to make landing gear, blades and turbine discs for aircraft.
“Boeing reported a voluntary disclosure to the FAA regarding procurement of material through a distributor who may have falsified or provided incorrect records,” the FAA said in a statement to Global News. “Boeing issued a bulletin outlining ways suppliers should remain alert to the potential of falsified records.”
According to the FAA, the agency is now investigating the scope and impact of this issue on the industry.
John Gradek, a professor in McGill University’s aviation management program, said in an interview this situation has sent the FAA and airlines “scrambling.”
“They’re scrambling to find out where has this titanium been used, how much titanium is already built on airplanes that came from this supplier and what risk is there to these aircraft,” he said. “It is a problem because it does deteriorate. It doesn’t have the characteristics of titanium that you would normally expect.”
Spirit AeroSystems, which supplies fuselages for Boeing and wings for Airbus, said it is also investigating the problem.
“This is about titanium that has entered the supply system via documents that have been counterfeited,” Joe Buccino, a spokesperson for Spirit, told Global News. “When this was identified, all suspect parts were quarantined and removed from Spirit production.”
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