Italian prosecutors announced charges against seven individuals and two subcontractors for fraud and violations of aviation safety regulations. This follows an investigation into allegedly defective parts supplied to Boeing for its 787 Dreamliner, as reported by Digi24
Compromised Safety
The inquiry began in late 2021 after Boeing revealed that certain components provided by a company linked to the Italian aerospace group Leonardo had been improperly manufactured.
Prosecutors in Brindisi discovered that two Italian subcontractors used cheaper, non-compliant forms of titanium and aluminum to create these parts, resulting in significant cost savings but raising serious safety concerns.
Investigators found a total of 4,829 non-compliant titanium components and 1,158 aluminum parts.
According to prosecutors, the use of inferior materials has led to a drastic reduction in static strength and stress resistance in the aircraft components, potentially compromising aviation safety.
Full Cooperation
Experts working with the prosecutors confirmed that the faulty structural components could adversely affect aircraft safety in the long term, prompting Boeing to initiate an extraordinary maintenance campaign for the affected planes.
Both Boeing and Leonardo have reportedly cooperated fully with the investigation and are considered victims of the alleged crimes.
The seven individuals and two subcontractors will now have time to present any new evidence in their defense before prosecutors decide whether to pursue a trial. Leonardo has declined to comment on the situation, while Boeing has indicated it will provide further commentary in due course.
