Leaders from Aerospace Industry Unite to Prevent Unauthorized Parts Entry
A coalition comprising key players from the aerospace sector in the United States and Europe has been established today to combat the infiltration of unauthorized parts into the aviation supply chain and reinforce its overall integrity.
The Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition, spearheaded by senior representatives from prominent entities such as Airbus, American Airlines, Boeing, Delta Air Lines, GE Aerospace, Safran, StandardAero, and United Airlines, aims to fortify the defenses against unapproved components making their way into critical aviation infrastructure. The coalition will be co-chaired by former NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt and former U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John D. Porcari.
The genesis of this coalition traces back to the proactive measures undertaken by CFM International and its parent companies, GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines, in response to an incident last year involving the sale of engine parts with forged documentation by AOG Technics. While an extensive investigation revealed minimal impact, with less than one percent of CFM engines affected, and most implicated parts being non-serialized items like bolts, washers, and bushings, the coalition aims to institute broader preventive measures against similar occurrences in the future.
“Swift action from the aviation industry contained the issue last year, but we recognize the need for sustained efforts to thwart any attempts at circumventing safety standards,” remarked co-chair Robert Sumwalt.
Co-chair John D. Porcari echoed this sentiment, stating, “Our coalition is committed to devising enduring solutions that bolster the integrity of the aviation supply chain.”
Commencing its operations this month, the coalition has initiated a comprehensive 90-day review to identify avenues for enhancing existing supply chain protocols. The findings of this review will culminate in a detailed report with recommendations geared toward ensuring compliance with safety standards and forestalling the infiltration of unauthorized aviation parts. Leveraging insights from stakeholders across the industry spectrum, including manufacturers, airlines, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) facilities, the coalition anticipates releasing the report later this year.
Phil Wickler, Chief Transformation Officer at GE Aerospace and a coalition member, emphasized the collective resolve to combat malpractices within the industry. “In an industry deeply entrenched in quality and safety, the presence of even a single bad actor is intolerable. We eagerly anticipate collaborating with aviation leaders to implement swift and effective measures to avert such incidents,” said Wickler.