Boeing in talks to rebuy manufacturer linked to mid-air blowout

Boeing is in talks to rebuy Spirit AeroSystems, a manufacturer linked to a mid-air blowout on one of its planes earlier this year, which sparked backlash and led to several lawsuits.

“We have been working closely with Spirit AeroSystems and its leadership to strengthen the quality of the commercial airplanes that we build together,” Boeing said in a statement Friday. “We confirm that our collaboration has resulted in preliminary discussions about making Spirit AeroSystems a part of Boeing again.”

The news, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, comes more than a month after an “explosive decompression” occurred on a Boeing 737 Max 9, when a door panel flew off mid-flight. Spirit AeroSystems made the fuselage and door plug that blew during the Alaska Airlines flight, leaving a gaping hole in the aircraft.

Spirit AeroSystems was broke away from Boeing in 2005, according to The Associated Press. The company has faced increased scrutiny over the years around the quality of its fuselage panels and issues with them not fitting together properly, per the AP.

In their statement, Boeing added that they believe “the reintegration of Boeing and Spirit AeroSystems’ manufacturing operations would further strengthen aviation safety, improve quality and serve the interests of our customers, employees, and shareholders.”

“Although there can be no assurance that we will be able to reach an agreement, we are committed to finding ways to continue to improve the safety and quality of the airplanes on which millions of people depend each and every day,” the statement reads.

A few days after the Alaska Airlines incident last month, shares of Boeing and Spirit fell nearly 9 percent and about 14 percent respectively.  

The chair of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said earlier this month that Boeing has a “quality control problem” following a preliminary report by the agency which found that four bolts that were supposed to secure the door plug on the flight were missing before last month’s incident.

“I think there is a quality assurance problem, a quality control problem. And that’s exactly what we’re digging in on right now,” NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said.

Following an audit by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Boeing was given 90 days to create plan that will address “systemic quality control” issues.

In a statement to The Hill, Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson Joe Buccino confirmed the company is “is currently engaged in discussions with Boeing.”

“No assurances can be given that a definitive agreement will be entered into, that any transaction will be consummated, or the timing, terms or conditions of any such transaction,” Buccino said.

“The Spirit Board of Directors and management team are committed to enhancing shareholder value and regularly review the Company’s opportunities to further this objective,” he continued. “We do not intend to comment further on market speculation or disclose any developments unless and until it otherwise deems further disclosure is appropriate or required.”