Attorney General Ken Paxton has opened an investigation into Boeing’s parts supplier—Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc.—following issues with certain aircraft parts.
The investigation, announced late Thursday, ordered Spirit to produce a list of documents pertaining to communications about the parts issues, investments, as well as DEI-related information by no later than April 17.
For example, Paxton requested that Spirit provide any communications to “its investors in which it disclosed the issue regarding the Mis-Drilled Aft Pressure Bulkhead Holes Defect in Spirit’s products.”
The aft pressure bulkhead helps maintain pressurization in an airplane during flight.
According to a lawsuit filed against Spirit in December of last year, Boeing revealed to the press that it discovered defects in the tail fin fittings on certain 737 MAX aircraft. As a result, Spirit’s stock price dropped over 20 percent. Spirit confirmed the defect afterward but was silent about the mis-drilled aft pressure bulkhead holes defect.
The investigation also required Spirit to provide all employee demographics for race, national origin, sexual orientation, and age before it implemented a DEI policy. The latest demographics were also requested as of January 1, 2024. Additionally, Paxton requested “the demographic characteristics for all personnel affected by layoffs by You [Spirit] in 2020.”
This includes the workforce reductions of 2,800 employees in Kansas and 400 in Oklahoma in response to COVID-19.
“The potential risks associated with certain airplane models are deeply concerning and potentially life-threatening to Texans,” Paxton stated in a Friday press release.
“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,” he continued.
