FAA Proposes $3.9 Million civil penalty against Boeing

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a civil penalty of more than $3.9 million against Boeing for installing nonconforming components on approximately 133 aircraft, which Boeing subsequently presented as ready for airworthiness certification. The FAA alleges that Boeing failed to adequately oversee its suppliers to ensure they complied with the company’s quality assurance system. The agency contends that this failure resulted in the installation of slat tracks that were weakened by a condition known as hydrogen embrittlement that occurred during cadmium-titanium plating. Slat tracks are located on the leading edge of the wings of a Boeing 737 and are