Leading companies from the aerospace industry have formed a consortium to help prevent unauthorized parts from entering the aviation supply chain and to strengthen the supply chain’s overall integrity
The founding members of the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition include Airbus, Boeing, GE Aerospace, Safran as well as several airlines.
The move follows a scandal last year when it was revealed UK-based supplier AOG Technics had sold parts for the CFM56 engine with forged documents. The CFM56 is made by CFM International a joint company between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines.
A subsequent review found that less than one percent of CFM engines were affected and most parts involved were non-serialized items like bolts, washers, and bushings.
The coalition will take a broader look at preventing future similar actions.
The coalition’s first co-chairs are former NTSB chairman Robert Sumwalt and former US transportation deputy secretary John D. Porcari.
Sumwalt said, “We were able to stop a rogue actor and quarantine the parts last year thanks to swift action from the aviation industry, but more is needed to stop anyone who tries to take a shortcut in the future.”
Porcari said, “Through this coalition, we will work to find lasting solutions that the industry can adopt to improve the overall integrity of the aviation supply chain.”
This month the coalition will launch a three month review to determine opportunities to strengthen existing supply chain operations. It will then produce a report late this year with recommendations to ensure compliance with safety standards and prevent the introduction of unapproved aviation parts into the supply chain.
The work will look to draw on expertise from manufacturers and airlines to maintenance, repair and overhaul stations, among others.
“One bad actor is one too many in an industry so focused on quality and safety. We look forward to collaborating with leaders across the aviation industry to find meaningful solutions we can implement quickly to prevent this from happening again,” said GE Aerospace chief transformation officer Phil Wickler, one of the coalition’s members.
