Yet more trouble for Boeing (and this time also for Airbus): counterfeit titanium to make some aircraft parts
It promises to be a real earthquake - yet another - in the world of commercial aviation. Last Friday, the New York [...]
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It promises to be a real earthquake - yet another - in the world of commercial aviation.
Last Friday the New York Times revealed that Airbus and Boeing - the two largest aircraft manufacturers - allegedly used counterfeit titanium: counterfeit, yes, because these components would have been sold with some forged documents that certified its authenticity. Bad news for Boeing, evidently, that he is not having a good time after the recent trouble caused by the Max and After receiving very few orders in the past few months; but this affair rattles, ça va sans dire, even the rival Airbus.
Not everyone knows this, but titanium is used to make some parts of landing gear and engines, and is therefore a key material in the aviation supply chain. The 'incriminated' titanium was allegedly sold by a Chinese company, unknown to date, which through the aforementioned falsification of documents made it appear that the component came from Baoji Titanium Industry, a well-known and certified company engaged in manufacturing and processing and titanium; Baoji, of course, promptly denied it.
Who noticed the problem was Spirit AeroSystems Holding, a U.S. company that manufactures fuselage parts for Boeing 737s and 787s: during assembly, some small holes in titanium; hence the report to the FAAthe U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, which is now investigating whether or not aircraft safety has been compromised by this counterfeit material.
The counterfeit component would have been used to make some parts of the Boeing 737 Max, of the 787 and of the Airbus A220. Both Boeing and Airbus, meanwhile, show peace of mind and report that in the face of extensive testing of their aircraft No critical issues or safety hazards were encountered.
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