FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeing manufacturing process control

The FAA issued an update on the agency’s ongoing investigation of Boeing (BA) 737-9 MAX aircraft, stating in part: “The Federal Aviation Administration’s six-week audit of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems, prompted by the January 5 incident involving a new, Boeing 737-9 MAX aircraft, found multiple instances where the companies allegedly failed to comply with manufacturing quality control requirements. The FAA identified non-compliance issues in Boeing’s manufacturing process control, parts handling and storage, and product control. The FAA is providing these details to the public as an update to the agency’s ongoing investigation… To hold Boeing accountable for its production quality issues, the FAA has halted production expansion of the Boeing 737 MAX, is exploring the use of a third party to conduct independent reviews of quality systems, and will continue its increased onsite presence at Boeing’s facility in Renton, Washington, and Spirit AeroSystems’ facility in Wichita, Kansas. The FAA will thoroughly review all of Boeing’s corrective actions to determine if they fully address the FAA’s findings. The FAA provided both companies with a summary of the audit findings.”