Thread: Major Aircraft Manufacturer Accused Of Fraud

May 22, 2008 5:30 pm US/Central
Major Aircraft Manufacturer Accused Of Fraud

NEW YORK (CBS News) ― A maker of crucial aircraft materials used by most major manufacturers of civilian and military planes has been accused of fraud for delivering non-conforming materials, according to a government memo obtained by CBS News.

The company, Airtech International of Huntington Beach, Calif., is currently under investigation by the U.S. Army.

A four-year government investigation into a top U.S. supplier of materials to every major manufacturer of aircraft in the world found fraud and a serious potential threat to the safety of the passengers and soldiers who fly them.

Every day several thousand military and commercial aircraft take off around the world carrying precious cargo of soldiers and civilians.
CBS News has learned that one of the major suppliers of material used in many of those planes may be putting those passengers at risk.
In a memo obtained by CBS News, Army criminal investigators used stark language in making their case against California-based Airtech International, writing:

"...seldom have I come across a company with such brazen disregard for safety of soldiers and civilians as well as for the sanctity of laws…," part of the memo read.

Airtech dominates the market for the raw materials used to build what are called "composites." Composites are the layers of high-tech plastics increasingly used to replace critical metal parts in the wings engines and the fuselage in many planes, including the C-17, F-18 fighter jets and 747s.

The memo alleges "kickbacks", "fraud" and the systematic selling of "non-conforming" products. Basically products that don't meet required specifications and can leave behind contaminants that can weaken the finished parts.

The memo reads, "...Airtech has supplied some form of nonconforming product to every aircraft manufacturer in the world."

"It's a threat to the flying public because Airtech is supplying bogus materials to companies. And it's possible these bogus materials could lead to composite parts falling apart," said Nick Schwellenbach an investigator with the Project on Government Oversight.

Airtech declined an on-camera interview in regards to that alleged "brazen disregard" to safety and instead issued a statement:

In it, the company said, "We are aware of no current ongoing investigation," and that it had "fully cooperated" with the government.

Airtech said it considered "the matter closed," citing a November 2006 letter from the FAA, which did its own investigation and found no violation of federal regulations.

According to a document dated May 5, an "active investigation" is still being conducted by the Army. While the House Transportation Committee wants to know why there's been so little action, with so much at stake.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

http://wcco.com/national/aircraft.mater ... 30818.html

A four-year government investigation into a top U.S. supplier of materials to every major manufacturer of aircraft in the world found fraud and a serious potential threat to the safety of the passengers and soldiers who fly them.

Every day several thousand military and commercial aircraft take off around the world carrying precious cargo of soldiers and civilians.
CBS News has learned that one of the major suppliers of material used in many of those planes may be putting those passengers at risk.
In a memo obtained by CBS News, Army criminal investigators used stark language in making their case against California-based Airtech International, writing:

"...seldom have I come across a company with such brazen disregard for safety of soldiers and civilians as well as for the sanctity of laws…," part of the memo read.

Airtech dominates the market for the raw materials used to build what are called "composites." Composites are the layers of high-tech plastics increasingly used to replace critical metal parts in the wings engines and the fuselage in many planes, including the C-17, F-18 fighter jets and 747s.

Why are Army criminal investigators investigating aircraft?
The navy and air force have pilots who fly C-17 & F-18 fighter jets--does the army have soldiers (pilots) who fly planes other than helicopters?

The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end; there it is.
Winston Churchill

Army has Military Police (MP's.) and that is possibly why.

Dixie