Seeking Stronger Vendor Oversight, Parts Tracing

The Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition has released a report that calls for actions manufacturers in the aerospace industry should take to prevent unapproved parts from entering the supply chain in the propulsion system segment.

The recommendations of the coalition fall into three categories: stronger vendor accreditation, document and signature digitization, and improving the traceability of parts. Each category specifies actions to implement over short-, medium-, and long-term timeframes.

Key actions noted in the report are:

• Promote the use of suppliers that meet the FAA’s recommended standards or the equivalent EASA or other international standard.
• Digitize documents for parts in FAA Form 8130 or EASA Form 1, and expand the use of digital signatures.
• Develop and implement best practices for receiving and inspecting parts, as well as the same for scrapping and destroying non-usable materials.
• Set up feedback channels among manufacturers and vendor accreditors to share information about suspected bad actors.

The report represents input gathered in biweekly coalition meetings with over a dozen industry members, dozens of interviews with over 38 industry experts, and special topics meetings over a nine-month period.

GE Aerospace led the formation of the broad-based coalition after AOG Technics sold parts with counterfeit documents. Other members include Airbus, Boeing, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Safran, Standard Aero, and United Airlines. The coalition’s efforts were guided by co-chairs Robert L. Sumwalt, former NTSB chairman, and John D. Porcari, former U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary.

Phil Wickler, GE Aerospace Chief Transformation Officer said, "We were able to quickly ring-fence the problem last year, but aviation safety demands not stopping there. The coalition’s expeditious work shows the steps we all need to take to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain. GE Aerospace is committed to the work ahead and will support others across the industry to implement these recommendations.”

FMI:  aviationsupplychainintegrity.com/