AUSTIN, TX (MyBellinghamNow.com) – The Texas attorney general has opened an investigation into a key Boeing supplier and whether the company’s efforts to enhance diversity has caused safety problems.
The office of Texas AG Ken Paxton says it began looking into Spirit AeroSystems because of apparent manufacturing defects that have led to “numerous dangerous incidents.” Spirit made the door-plug panel that blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max in January.
A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) audit of manufacturing procedures in Spirit’s factory gave the company failing grades in seven of 13 areas following the incident. A spokesperson for Spirit offered no comment on the investigation, but says the company is “focused on providing the highest quality products to all our customers.”
Paxton also wants details on internal discussions about Spirit’s efforts to create a diverse workforce and whether they are “unlawful” or are “compromising the company’s manufacturing processes.”