Federal transportation officials are currently investigating a concerning incident involving the use of titanium with forged documentation in parts used for manufacturing Boeing and Airbus planes. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Spirit AeroSystems, a supplier of fuselages to Boeing and wings for Airbus, have both initiated investigations to determine the extent and impact of this issue, which raises potential concerns about aircraft safety.

The problem first came to light after a parts supplier discovered corrosion-induced tiny holes in the titanium, as reported by the New York Times. In response, Boeing reported a voluntary disclosure to the FAA regarding the procurement of material through a distributor suspected of providing falsified or incorrect records. The agency issued a bulletin urging suppliers to remain vigilant against the potential of falsified documents.

Spirit AeroSystems is actively working to trace the origins of the titanium and has removed the affected parts from their production line for comprehensive testing. According to Spirit spokesperson Joe Buccino, the issue revolves around counterfeit documents that have allowed the problematic titanium to enter the supply system. He emphasized that all suspect parts have been quarantined and thoroughly tested to ensure continued airworthiness, with over 1,000 tests already completed.

Planes containing parts with the suspect material were manufactured between 2019 and 2023, and include certain Boeing 737 Max and 787 Dreamliner airliners, as well as Airbus A220 jets. The New York Times, citing sources familiar with the matter, revealed that an employee at a Chinese company responsible for selling the titanium had forged information on documents certifying its origin, making it difficult to determine the exact source of the material.

Boeing has stated that their tests on the questioned materials have not uncovered any evidence of a problem. The aircraft manufacturer assures that this issue only affects a small number of parts on their airplanes and that the majority of titanium used in their production is directly purchased, thus not impacted by this specific incident. Boeing outlined that affected parts will be removed before delivery to ensure compliance, while highlighting the continued safety of their in-service fleet.

Airbus, aware of the situation, has carried out numerous tests on parts obtained from the same supplier. They have stated that these tests have affirmed the intact airworthiness of the A220 planes. The company expressed their commitment to safety and quality, emphasizing that they are working closely with their supplier in addressing this matter.

This incident adds to a series of safety concerns faced by the aviation industry this year. Earlier this year, an alarming in-flight incident occurred in which a door panel blew off a Boeing 737 Max 9 jet operated by Alaska Airlines. Additionally, in April, Boeing informed the FAA about another incident involving potentially falsified inspection records related to the wings of 787 Dreamliner planes, leading to the need for reinspection of some aircraft still in production.

Federal authorities are continuing their investigation into this matter to determine the full scope of the issue and its potential impact on aircraft safety.