TEXAS, USA — Following a turbulent stretch of air travel incidents, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is opening up an investigation into Spirit AeroSystems, one of the main suppliers of some of Boeing’s aircraft models.
“The potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans,” Paxton said in a news release announcing the investigation. “I will hold any company responsible if they fail to maintain the standards required by the law and will do everything in my power to ensure manufacturers take passenger safety seriously.”
Spirit AeroSystems is headquartered in Kansas but has offices and facilities in Dallas.
In January, an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 plane suffered a door plug flying off mid-flight, leaving a hole in the aircraft’s fuselage.
Attorney General Paxton is demanding Spirit AeroSystems turn over documents related to manufacturing defects in their products.
Paxton also wants the company to hand over documents related to diversity, equity and inclusion – or DEI – commitments and whether those commitments are, “unlawful or are compromising the company’s manufacturing process.”
It’s part of a continuing effort on the part of conservatives to target DEI programs at public and private institutions. A ban on DEI programs at state colleges and universities went into effect this year in Texas after a bill called SB 17 passed the Republican-controlled state Legislature and was signed by Governor Greg Abbott.
Earlier this month, the Federal Aviation Administration said an audit of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems found failures in quality control standards. There was no mention of DEI concerns by the FAA.
Spirit AeroSystems sent KHOU the following statement in response to the investigation by Attorney General Paxton:
“While we do not comment on investigations, Spirit is wholly focused on providing the highest quality products to all our customers, to include the Boeing Company.”
Turbulent Times
The door plug flying off the Alaska Airlines flight in January was just the start of a series of high-profile flight issues, including a United Airlines jet sliding off the taxiway while landing in Houston.
The incidents have led to stronger scrutiny on the airline industry, but primarily companies like Boeing, United ad Spirit AeroSystems.
This month, Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announced he is stepping down from his post at the end of the year. The company’s head of commercial airplanes is also departing.
Meanwhile, Boeing is in ongoing talks to buy Spirit Aerosystems.
