Italian prosecutors have accused seven individuals and two subcontractors of fraud and breaching airplane safety regulations following an extensive investigation into flawed components supplied to Boeing for its 787 Dreamliner aircraft.
The investigation, initiated in late 2021 after Boeing raised concerns about improperly manufactured parts, revealed that two Italian subcontractors utilized cheaper, non-compliant titanium and aluminum materials to produce certain components. This cost-cutting measure significantly reduced the static and stress resistance of the parts, potentially compromising aviation safety.
According to prosecutors in Brindisi, aerospace experts certified at least 4,829 non-compliant titanium parts and 1,158 aluminum parts. The inferior quality of these components could, over time, pose risks to aircraft safety, necessitating Boeing to undertake an extraordinary maintenance campaign for the affected planes.
While the prosecutors did not disclose the names of the subcontractors or the individuals involved, sources indicated that former Leonardo supplier Manufacturing Process Specification (MPS) and its now-bankrupt predecessor Processi Speciali are central to the probe. MPS owner Antonio Ingrosso and his father Vincenzo, who led Processi Speciali, are among those accused. Their legal representative stated that both men are confident they acted within the bounds of the law.
The seven individuals and two firms will have the opportunity to present new evidence in their defense before prosecutors decide whether to proceed to trial. Both Boeing and Leonardo are considered victims in the case and have cooperated fully with the investigation.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
