Aircraft
Mitsubishi, Boeing Investigate Suspect Metal Parts Shipments
Components for MRJ and unidentified Boeing airplanes contain metals for which Kobe Steel employees falsified inspection data

Mitsubishi Aircraft and Boeing have each begun record reviews of their respective shipments of parts made with metal sourced from Japan’s Kobe Steel aluminum and copper business after the supplier reported that employees had improperly rewritten inspection certificates to reflect that they met minimum specifications. In a statement issued on October 8, Kobe Steel said the “improper conduct” came to light following self-inspection and emergency quality audits of the compliance status of products shipped between September 1, 2016 and August 31, 2017. The materials in question involve about 19,300 tons of flat rolled and extruded aluminum products; 2,200 tons of copper strips and tubes; and 19,400 tons of aluminum castings and forgings. Apart from Boeing and Mitsubishi, several automotive companies have also received shipments of the non-conforming parts.