Six thousand airplane parts seized: new shingle on Boeing 787 in made-in-Italy scandal
The crisis that has been engulfing Boeing for years now also comes to Italy, where two companies in the Brindisi area and seven [...]
The crisis that has been engulfing Boeing for years now. also arrives in Italy, where Two companies in the Brindisi area and seven people were investigated on charges of supplying Leonardo Aerostructures, which in turn is a supplier to the U.S. manufacturer, Fuselage pieces that do not conform to the required standards.
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In particular, for the implementation of the Sections 44 and 46 of the Boeing 787 fuselage pure titanium, instead of titanium alloy, was allegedly used, and the aluminum alloys used were also different from the intended ones. This, according to the Brindisi prosecutor's office, which conducted the investigation and issued the indictments, could have resulted, in the long run, significantly lower static and stress resistance performance, with possible repercussions for transportation safety.
The indictments have been issued for crimes ranging from endangering transportation safety to environmental pollution and trade fraud, and have led to the seizure of 6 thousand airplane parts. In particular, the consultations ordered by the Brindisi prosecutor's office would have highlighted the Non-compliance with Boeing's established standards of more than 4,800 components made of titanium and more than 1,100 aluminum components.
Boeing sources components to build Dreamliners from the plant Leonardo has in Taranto, Italy. The 'pieces' are then sent to Boeing plants where 787s are assembled, the one in Everett in Washington state and the one in Charleston, South Carolina, with Dreamlifters (special Boeing 747-8s modified to resemble Airbus' 'Beluga') from Grottaglie Airport, which is about 30 kilometers from Taranto.
