After a six-week audit of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems prompted by a door blowing off a jet in flight, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration found “multiple instances” where the companies “allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality-control requirements,” the FAA said Monday.
The FAA found noncompliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. The audit follows the Jan. 5 incident in which a Boeing 737 Max 9 door plug blew out on an Alaska Airlines jet shortly after takeoff.
At a meeting last week, FAA administrator told Boeing CEO David Calhoun and other senior leaders that the company must address the audit’s findings as part of its comprehensive corrective action plan to fix systemic quality-control issues. Boeing has 90 days to outline its action plan, according to the FAA.
The FAA also has continued to halt production of the Boeing 737 Max, and is considering use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems, and will continue its increased on-site presence at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Wash., and Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kan.
