Additional Coverage:
- Boeing whistleblower claims ‘thousands’ of broken parts, including crucial steering tools, ended up on airplanes (newsbreak.com)
Boeing Accused of Using Flawed Airplane Parts
A Boeing employee claims that factory workers have used defective parts on airplanes to keep production going amid supply chain issues.
Sam Mohawk, a 13-year Boeing employee, alleges that parts were taken from storage and installed on aircraft without being accounted for. These missing parts include bolts and even critical components like rudders.
Mohawk says the company has a designated area for storing compromised parts, but some workers have bypassed this protocol and used these parts on airplanes.
Boeing has investigated Mohawk’s claims but has not found evidence that defective parts have been used on aircraft. However, the company acknowledges the allegations and has taken steps to review its quality assurance protocols.
Mohawk compares the potential consequences of using faulty parts to “Russian roulette,” as airplanes may not last their expected lifespan and could lead to a “catastrophic event.”
The allegations raise concerns about Boeing prioritizing productivity over safety, as workers are reportedly pressured to keep production moving at all costs.
Similar allegations were made by Mohawk earlier this year, including the loss of hundreds of defective parts and the deletion of records.
Boeing has made changes to its quality assurance procedures following a strike and has taken a month to ensure proper training and supply chain stability before resuming production.