FAA plans to fine Boeing $1.25 million for S.C. facility

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The Federal Aviation Administration has accused managers at Boeing S.C. of pressuring employees who were acting as FAA representatives under a program that helps companies speed up deliveries of completed aircraft.

The agency has recommended Boeing pay civil penalties of just over $1.25 million related to two incidents between 2017 and 2020.

In a statement, Boeing S.C. said after the incidents were reported, the site took action and cooperated with federal investigators looking at the Organization Designation Authorization program.

“The FAA’s proposed civil penalties announced today are a clear and strong reminder of our obligations as an ODA holder,” Boeing S.C. said. “Undue pressure of any type is inconsistent with our values and will not be tolerated. In both instances, the allegations were appropriately reported, investigated and disclosed to the FAA.”

The Organization Designation Authorization program allows designated Boeing employees to perform certain FAA functions, such as certifying the flight readiness of aircraft and inspecting aircraft.

Boeing Co. produces 787 Dreamliners in North Charleston and at a production facility in Everett, Wash. The two locations are part of a global supply chain of companies that helps produce the aircraft.

The FAA said the first penalty of nearly $1.1 million came about from Boeing improperly implementing the ODA program.

“Between November 2017 and July 2019, employees in two ODA units reported to managers who were not in approved ODA management positions,” the FAA said. “Boeing failed to ensure ODA administrators were in a position to effectively represent the FAA’s interests, the FAA alleges.”

Also related to the first penalty, the FAA said that non-ODA managers at Boeing S.C. pressured or interfered with program members between September 2018 and May 2019.

The FAA said the second penalty of $184,522 was based on an incident that took place on Feb. 26. The FAA said Boeing S.C. did not follow its own quality control processes “and subjected ODA members to undue pressure or interfered with an airworthiness inspection of a Boeing 787-9.”

Boeing has 30 days to officially respond to the FAA’s allegations, the agency said.