US FAA hits Boeing 737 MAX production for quality control issues
By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The Federal Aviation Administration said the agency's 737 MAX production audit into Boeing (NYSE:BA) and supplier Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) found multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements.
The FAA also said it found «non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control.» The FAA has not detailed the specific corrective actions Boeing and Spirit must take but sent summary of its findings to the companies in its completed audit.
Spirit AeroSystems, which makes the fuselage for the MAX, said it is «in communication with Boeing and the FAA on appropriate corrective actions.»
Boeing said in response «by virtue of our quality stand-downs, the FAA audit findings and the recent expert review panel report, we have a clear picture of what needs to be done.»
Boeing confirmed on Friday it is in talks to buy Spirit AeroSystems, a former subsidiary which it spun off in 2005.
The FAA's audit was prompted by a Jan. 5 mid-air emergency involving a new Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 that lost a door plug at 16,000 feet (4,877 meters). The FAA previously barred Boeing from expanding 737 production and in January said «the quality assurance issues we have seen are unacceptable.»
Last week, FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said Boeing must develop a comprehensive plan to address «systemic quality-control issues» within 90 days following an all-day Feb. 27 meeting with CEO Dave Calhoun.
«Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,” Whitaker said last week. „We are going to hold them accountable every step of the way, with mutually understood milestones and
Read more on investing.com
