Investigation into Italian Sub-Contractors for Boeing 787 Dreamliner

By Francesca Landini
MILAN (Reuters) – Investigators found that two Italian sub-contractors used cheaper and non-compliant forms of titanium and aluminium for parts of Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, compromising safety, prosecutors said on Saturday.

How It Started

The investigation began in late 2021 after Boeing reported that some titanium parts supplied by sub-contractors for state-controlled aerospace and defense group Leonardo were improperly manufactured over the previous three years.

Probe Outcome

Investigators discovered that the sub-contractors used pure titanium rather than the required titanium alloy and different aluminium alloys for structural components of the aircraft.

Boeing Launched Extraordinary Maintenance Campaign

The probe revealed that non-compliant structural components could potentially undermine aircraft safety, prompting Boeing to initiate an extraordinary maintenance campaign for affected planes. The U.S. Department of Justice and the FBI assisted Italy’s finance police and prosecutors, while Leonardo and Boeing actively identified non-compliant parts.

Who Did What?

Italian prosecutors accused seven individuals and two sub-contractors of crimes including fraud and violations of airplane safety regulations, without disclosing names. Sources indicated that the investigation centered around family-owned Manufacturing Process Specification and its bankrupt predecessor, Processi Speciali. MPS owner Antonio Ingrosso and his father Vincenzo, former head of Processi Speciali, are among the accused and maintain their actions were lawful, according to their lawyer.

Non-Compliant Airplane Parts

Both Processi Speciali and MPS provided parts for sections 44 and 46 of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner’s fuselage, manufactured by Leonardo in southern Italy. Court documents indicated that MPS and its predecessor supplied fittings for the fuselage’s floor beam and components for a cargo door frame. Following the initiation of the probe, both Leonardo and Boeing removed MPS from their supplier lists.

What’s Next?

The accused individuals and companies will have an opportunity to present new evidence in their defense before prosecutors decide on whether to request a trial.