Wichita, Kansas – A former quality inspector at Spirit AeroSystems has raised alarming concerns about the quality of fuselages supplied to Boeing by the aerospace manufacturer. Santiago Paredes revealed that he often found up to 200 defects on fuselages before they were shipped to Boeing, prompting him to slow down production to address the issues. The allegations made by Paredes have sparked investigations by regulatory authorities into production practices at both Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing.
Paredes, who worked at Spirit AeroSystems between 2010 and 2022, described the challenges he faced in ensuring the quality of fuselages destined for Boeing. He highlighted instances where he encountered missing fasteners, bent parts, and even missing components on the fuselages. Despite his efforts to address these defects, Paredes claimed he faced pressure to overlook issues in order to meet production quotas.
The revelations made by Paredes have led to legal actions by disgruntled shareholders against Spirit AeroSystems, alleging that the company deliberately concealed widespread quality failings. However, Spirit AeroSystems has vehemently denied these allegations and is actively defending its position.
In response to the growing concerns, the Federal Aviation Administration initiated an audit of production practices at both Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing. These audits identified instances where the companies failed to adhere to manufacturing control practices, raising further questions about the oversight of quality in aircraft production.
Boeing, as Spirit AeroSystems’ primary customer, has provided financial support to the company in the wake of these allegations. Efforts are underway to address quality concerns at Spirit AeroSystems, resulting in a significant reduction in the number of faults on fuselages leaving the Wichita factory.
Paredes’ ordeal culminated in a personal challenge when he was instructed to change the way defects were reported to minimize their impact. After resisting these directives, Paredes alleged that he faced retaliation and was subsequently reassigned within the company. Despite lodging complaints with the company’s human resources department and senior management, Paredes ultimately decided to leave Spirit AeroSystems.
The revelations made by Paredes have raised questions about the integrity and oversight of the aircraft manufacturing process, casting a shadow over the quality control practices at Spirit AeroSystems and Boeing. As investigations continue and legal actions unfold, the aerospace industry faces scrutiny over its commitment to ensuring the safety and reliability of commercial aircraft.