Spirit Aerosystems

The absence of documentation on a process critical to an in-service occurrence points to broad gaps in Boeing's quality oversight process.

Production of new MAXs was believed by Jefferies analysts to have fallen to mid-20s for January and below 20 in February.

The agency reviewed processes within Boeing and major supplier Spirit AeroSystems.

A Boeing acquisition of all or part of Spirit AeroSystems could be, if consummated, a surprise coup for the former’s defense business.

Financial analysts and industry observers respond to the news that Spirit AeroSystems is mulling some kind of sale, including to Boeing and Airbus.

In what is becoming a year of going back to basics, aerospace manufacturing workers have the microphone.

New MRO facilities and joint ventures are highlights of Contracts and News Briefs this month.

Two of Germany’s large aerospace suppliers seek better access to the U.S. market and Boeing, with very different approaches.

New, more hands-on production surveillance is likely to emerge from Boeing’s supply chain and quality missteps.

Investigators are still working to piece together what happened to the Boeing 737-9 in the weeks leading up to its delivery to Alaska.

Investigators determined the door plug was not opened between the airplane’s Oct. 31, 2023, delivery to Alaska Airlines and the accident flight.

“The accident on Jan. 5 demanded a different focus by our team,” CEO Pat Shanahan said, referring to Alaska Airlines Flight 1282.

A new issue on some Boeing 737 fuselages will slow production and require re-work on about 50 airplanes, Boeing said.

Inspectors will review all aspects of Boeing’s three 737 MAX production lines as well as fuselage supplier Spirit AeroSystems' work in Wichita.

Though Boeing’s 737-9 is now allowed to return to service after close inspections, the FAA’s decision to freeze production at current levels is a huge blow.

Boeing’s biggest problem is restoring trust.

Indian MRO provider signed agreements to partner with Lufthansa Technik and Spirit AeroSystems on maintenance services.

The review led by retired U.S. Navy Admiral Kirk Donald will examine Boeing’s commercial airplane quality management as well as its supplier quality oversight.

Problematic Spirit AeroSystems-supplied 737-9 panels evaded Boeing quality checks and may have caused a Jan. 5 Alaska Airlines accident.

“This incident should have never happened, and it cannot happen again,” the FAA said.

“We’re not going to point fingers,” the Boeing CEO said. “Because, yes, it escaped their factory; but then it escaped ours too. So, we’re all in this together.”

NTSB reports that the door "plug" which detached from an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 during a mid-air incident Jan. 5 has now been found.

For the airline and aerospace industries, many questions about pandemic recovery remain unanswered.

Readers write about the Nov. 13 and Nov. 27 covers, U.S. Navy’s E-2 Hawkeyes and the need for better bladeout safety.

If 2023 is any indication, 2024 could be a yearlong Festivus in the supply chain.