FAA Expands Boeing 737 Max Audit to Include Spirit AeroSystems’ Fuselage Production
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has broadened its audit scope of the Boeing 737 MAX manufacturing processes to encompass the fuselage production at Spirit AeroSystems. This decision, announced on Wednesday, aims to thoroughly examine all facets of the 737 MAX’s production, including the integration of components from suppliers into Boeing’s assembly lines.
The audit, involving a team of approximately two dozen aviation safety inspectors, will be conducted at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems in Wichita, Kansas. This comprehensive review comes in the wake of the FAA grounding 171 737-9 aircraft earlier this year, following a mid-air incident involving a cabin panel blowout on an Alaska Airlines 737-9, although these planes have since been cleared to fly again.
FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker emphasized the audit’s goal to scrutinize the entire manufacturing and inspection system, including the dynamics of supplier interactions and the transfer of unfinished work. The FAA’s enhanced oversight is part of its commitment to ensuring the highest quality standards are maintained at Boeing and its suppliers, although the duration of this heightened scrutiny remains unspecified.
Spirit AeroSystems, which has expressed its commitment to support the FAA’s audit, is a key player in the 737 MAX’s production chain. Meanwhile, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has affirmed the company’s dedication to implementing robust quality measures across its operations and supply chain.
This audit marks a significant step by the FAA to safeguard aviation safety and restore confidence in the Boeing 737 MAX series, following a series of challenges. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is also investigating specific aspects related to the aircraft’s assembly, highlighting the ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity of commercial aviation manufacturing practices.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, reuters.com, finance.yahoo.com