Texas AG Ken Paxton Launches Probe Into Boeing Parts Supplier

The Spirit AeroSystems logo is pictured on an unpainted 737 fuselage as Boeing's 737 factory teams hold the first day of a "Quality Stand Down" for the 737 program at Boeing's factory in Renton, Washington, on Jan. 25, 2024. (Jason Redmond/AFP via Getty Images)

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched a probe into the aircraft parts manufacturer that supplies parts for Boeing.

The investigation into Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, which makes fuselages for certain models of Boeing 737 jets, was launched over safety concerns following several high-profile air travel incidents, Mr. Paxton’s office announced on March 28.

“The potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans,” Mr. Paxton said. “I will hold any company responsible if they fail to maintain the standards required by the law and will do everything in my power to ensure manufacturers take passenger safety seriously.”

The attorney general has demanded that the company turn over documents related to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) commitments to determine “whether those commitments are unlawful or are compromising the company’s manufacturing processes.”

Spirit AeroSystems declined to comment on the investigations but stated that the company is committed to delivering the “highest quality products.”

“While we do not comment on investigations, Spirit is wholly focused on providing the highest quality products to all our customers, to include the Boeing Company,” a company spokesperson said in an email to The Epoch Times. 

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Mr. Paxton ordered Spirit AeroSystems to provide the documents to his office no later than April 17.

The Kansas-based company operates two facilities in Dallas, Texas.

Under the Microscope

One of the safety incidents that has placed Boeing under the microscope involved an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 in early January. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft suffered a door plug blowout, creating a gaping hole that forced the pilots to make an emergency landing. The plane depressurized, but there were no serious injuries.

The National Transportation and Safety Board’s (NTSB’s) preliminary report found four bolts missing from the door plug, suggesting that someone removed them and failed to reinstall them during repair work performed by Spirit AeroSystems at the Boeing plant.

Earlier this month, the Department of Justice (DOJ) opened a criminal investigation into the Alaska Airlines jetliner blowout.

“In an event like this, it’s normal for the DOJ to be conducting an investigation,” Alaska Airlines said in a prepared statement. “We are fully cooperating and do not believe we are a target of the investigation.”

Investigators have reportedly contacted crew members and some passengers who were on the flight.

Boeing admitted in a letter to Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) that it was unable to locate any record of work performed to open and reinstall the panel on the Boeing 737 Max assembly line in Renton, Washington, according to The Seattle Times.

“We have looked extensively and have not found any such documentation,” Ziad Ojakli, Boeing executive vice president and chief government lobbyist, wrote in the letter.

Mr. Ojakli said the company’s “working hypothesis” was that “documents required by our processes were not created when the door plug was opened.”

The letter followed a Senate committee hearing on March 6, in which Boeing and the NTSB argued over whether the company had cooperated with investigators.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy testified that Boeing had repeatedly refused to identify the employees who worked on its 737 door panels and failed to provide documentation on the removal and reinstallation of the door panel.

“It’s absurd that two months later, we don’t have that,“ Ms. Homendy said. ”Without that information, that raises concerns about quality assurance, quality management, safety management systems [at Boeing].”

Shortly after the Senate hearing, Boeing stated that it had released the names of all employees who work on 737 doors and that it previously provided some of them to investigators.

The NTSB’s report states that four bolts that help keep the door plug in place were missing after the panel was removed to allow workers to repair rivets in September 2023. The rivet repairs were made by contractors working for Spirit AeroSystems, according to the report.

In late February, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave Boeing 90 days to come up with a plan to correct quality-control issues and meet safety standards.

“Boeing must commit to real and profound improvements,” FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker said. “Making foundational change will require sustained effort from Boeing’s leadership, and we are going to hold them accountable every step of the way.”

A slew of other problems with Boeing Max jets have been reported in recent months and years.

Last year, Boeing reported a problem with fittings where the fuselage meets the vertical section of the tail on Max jets. Boeing stated that Spirit AeroSystems used a “non-standard manufacturing process” on some of the planes.

Boeing and Spirit also stated that they discovered improperly drilled fastener holes in the aft pressure bulkhead, which maintains pressure when planes are at cruising altitude, on the fuselages of some 737 Max models.

Boeing stated that the defect was not an immediate hazard for planes already in service but could delay the deliveries of new jets.

Leadership Shake-up

On March 25, Boeing CEO David Calhoun announced his plans to step down from the company by the end of the year or as soon as his replacement is found.

Mr. Calhoun described the door plug blowout as a “watershed moment” in a message to employees.

“We must continue to respond to this accident with humility and complete transparency. We also must inculcate a total commitment to safety and quality at every level of our company,” he told employees, noting that the “eyes of the world are on us.”

Mr. Calhoun’s departure was accompanied by other immediate leadership changes, including Larry Kellner, Boeing’s board chairman, who will be replaced by Steve Mollenkopf. The former Qualcomm CEO joined Boeing’s board in 2020 and serves as a director at Dell Technologies.

Boeing has also been in talks to acquire Spirit Aerosystems. The companies have yet to strike a deal as they continue to be at the center of ongoing scrutiny over safety issues.

“We believe that the reintegration of Boeing and Spirit Aerosytems’ manufacturing operations would further strengthen aviation safety, improve quality and serve the interests of our customers, employees, and shareholders,” Boeing said in a statement.

Bill Pan contributed to this report.