Wichita, KS (May 13, 2024) – In a fresh blow to Boeing’s ongoing quality control woes, a former inspector at key supplier Spirit AeroSystems has come forward alleging a culture of pressure to downplay defects in critical aircraft parts.

Santiago Paredes, a quality inspector with Spirit for over ten years, spoke out on Fox & Friends First this morning, making startling claims. Paredes alleges he was subjected to consistent pressure by management to “falsify information” when logging defects discovered within 737 fuselages, the main body of the aircraft.

“It was a constant battle just to do my job – identifying and documenting defects,” Paredes said. “There was an overwhelming push to get planes out the door, and corners were definitely being cut.”

Paredes’ accusations come amidst heightened scrutiny of Boeing’s production practices following the tragic deaths of two whistleblowers earlier this year. John Barnett, a former Boeing inspector who filed a whistleblower complaint alleging safety flaws, and Josh Dean, a quality auditor at another Boeing supplier who raised concerns about the 737 Max, both died under mysterious circumstances in early 2023. Investigations concluded their deaths were suicides and an infection, respectively, but the timing and their whistleblowing activities fueled public speculation about potential retaliation.

Paredes’ allegations add another layer of concern to the ongoing investigations by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) into Boeing’s production practices. His claims raise serious questions about the integrity of quality control procedures at Spirit AeroSystems and their potential impact on the safety of Boeing’s airplanes.

Boeing has remained silent on Paredes’ specific allegations. A Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson, while declining to comment on the details of Paredes’ claims, emphasized the company’s commitment to upholding the highest safety standards. However, industry analysts remain skeptical.

“These are serious accusations,” said Amelia Jackson, an aerospace industry analyst. “If true, they could indicate a systemic problem within Spirit’s quality control processes. The FAA and NTSB need to thoroughly investigate these claims to ensure passenger safety is not being compromised.”

The fallout from Paredes’ allegations is only beginning to unfold. Lawmakers have called for a Congressional hearing to examine his claims and their potential link to the previous whistleblower deaths. The future of Boeing’s relationship with Spirit AeroSystems also hangs in the balance.

This developing story is sure to capture significant media attention in the coming days, with potentially significant repercussions for the aviation industry.pen_sparktunesharemore_vert