Two Italian aerospace companies and seven individuals are under investigation for allegedly supplying non-compliant aeronautical components to Leonardo SpA, which are used in the production of certain sections of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, as reported by the Bloomberg on Saturday, citing Italian prosecutors.
The companies, located in Brindisi, southern Italy, are accused of using pure titanium for manufacturing structural components of the aircraft instead of the required titanium alloys. They also reportedly utilized substandard aluminum alloys.
This practice allegedly resulted in significantly reduced static and stress resistance, thereby compromising transport safety, according to Ansa.
Leonardo, an aerospace and defense manufacturer with clients including Boeing Co. and Airbus SE, declined to comment on the matter. Prosecutors and police in Brindisi have not responded to requests for comment made outside of regular business hours.