Last Thursday, an important case was scheduled in Italy against the Italian company Manufacturing Process Specification (MPS), which specializes in small components for the Boeing 787. However, at the last moment, the case was postponed to May 15.
News agency Reuters investigated the case, conducting interviews with those involved, examining confidential documents from both the Italian police and prosecutors, and analyzing supplier data. The parties involved, Boeing and Leonardo, which supplied the parts to Boeing, both claim to be victims in the investigation.
In 2021, the case came to light, and initial investigations revealed that MPS and its predecessor, Processi Speciali, had been supplying falsified parts for at least five years, including to Leonardo. These parts included beam fittings that connect the Boeing 787 cabin floor to the fuselage. The Italian aerospace company supplies two fuselage sections for the Boeing 787. MPS manufactured the falsified parts using lower-quality metals, such as a more porous type of titanium.
Despite this, MPS parts passed quality control checks from three different inspectors and private auditors between 2017 and 2021. This failure was due to shortcomings in the quality of the inspectors themselves, as none of them conducted a physical inspection of the fittings in the Boeing aircraft. Additionally, MPS did order the prescribed metals, but only in small quantities.
Titanium is a crucial material in the aviation industry due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance. It is used in critical components where reliability is essential. The use of a weaker, more porous type of titanium could compromise the structural integrity of aircraft.
‘Collapse’
The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) did not ground Boeing 787 aircraft after the investigation became public. However, last year, the FAA issued a draft notice that, once finalized, will allow airlines to identify and replace falsified parts. The directive is expected to apply to nearly 500 aircraft.
At present, the FAA states that none of the affected Boeing aircraft are at immediate risk. However, the falsified parts must be closely monitored, as FAA investigators warn that ‘in the event of an emergency landing, the lower-quality fittings could cause the aircraft floor to collapse.’ Authorities continue to closely monitor the situation.