A recent investigation by the American Aviation Authority (FAA) has uncovered the presence of titanium in aircraft parts from Airbus and Boeing that may have forged certificates and originated from China. The material was used in parts produced by an American supplier, Spirit AeroSystems, which was discovered through falsified documents.
The issue came to light when a parts supplier found small rust holes in the metal, prompting further investigation. The titanium was traced back to an unnamed Chinese supplier who allegedly used false documents to misrepresent the material’s origin. Boeing voluntarily disclosed that it received material through a distributor that may have used falsified or incorrect documents, leading the FAA to launch an investigation into the extent and consequences of the issue.
The aviation industry has been working to address the problem of non-certified parts entering the supply chain for some time. In response to a recent scandal involving a British company supplying aircraft engine parts with forged certificates, representatives from Airbus and Boeing created an ‘Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition’. This coalition is working to establish guidelines and recommendations to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future, with a report expected in the fall.
