Strengthening vendor accreditation, digitizing documents and improving part traceability among recommendations
WASHINGTON – Oct. 9, 2024 – The Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition released its report recommending specific actions the aerospace industry should take to help prevent future unapproved parts from entering the propulsion supply chain.
The report organizes its recommendations into three categories: strengthening vendor accreditation, digitizing documents and signatures, and improving part traceability. Each category includes actions to implement over short-, medium- and long-term timelines. Some of the key actions include:
- Promoting the use of suppliers that meet the FAA’s recommended standards in Advisory Circular 00-56B or an equivalent EASA and international standard.
- Digitizing key documents for parts (FAA Form 8130, EASA Form 1) and expanding usage of digital signatures.
- Developing and implementing training best practices for receiving and inspecting parts, along with best practices for scrapping and destroying non-usable material.
- Establishing feedback channels to share suspected bad actors with accreditors of suppliers.
The report is the culmination of biweekly coalition meetings with more than a dozen industry members, weekly coalition staff meetings, dozens of interviews with experts, and other special emphasis meetings during nine months. GE Aerospace led the formation of the broad coalition after AOG Technics sold parts with counterfeit documents. Former NTSB Chairman Robert L. Sumwalt and former U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary John D. Porcari guided the coalition as co-chairs.
“These recommendations will close holes and add new layers of safety to strengthen the integrity of the supply chain. We know what needs to happen; it’s time to get to work,” said Sumwalt, co-chair of the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition.
“This work has been in the finest tradition of aviation safety: Not stopping when the initial problem is resolved, but also working to prevent repeated incidents and to mitigate emerging threats. We urge others to join this coalition of the committed in implementing these recommendations,” said Porcari, co-chair of the Aviation Supply Chain Integrity Coalition.
The recommended actions are performance-based and technology-agnostic, allowing companies in the aerospace industry flexibility in achieving the outcome. Many of these recommendations could be applied to supply chains for other aircraft components. Several coalition companies have started implementing some recommendations since the formation of the coalition:
- GE Aerospace has digitized records going back to 2015 and now digitizes key paperwork when an engine visits a GE Aerospace shop. It plans to pilot digital signatures in late 2024.
- StandardAero has developed a procedure designed to comply with control of the different paths that scrap material may follow, to prevent unserviceable material from re-entering the supply chain.
- Boeing is partnering with one of its largest commercial airline customers to pilot the creation of a digitally signed and authenticated version of the FAA 8130-3 Authorized Release Certificate that will be exchanged through digital media.
The coalition has shared its report with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, along with law enforcement officials.
"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,” said GE Aerospace Chief Transformation Officer Phil Wickler, one of the coalition’s members.
The research phase included interviews with more than 38 experts across the industry from 24 organizations and a day-long visit to one of the world’s largest Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) shops. Among those consulted include industry associations, parts brokers, airlines, MROs, aircraft and engine manufacturers, and others. This information formed the foundation of the recommendations.
Founding members of the coalition included senior representatives from Airbus, American Airlines, Boeing, Delta Air Lines, GE Aerospace, Safran, StandardAero and United Airlines.
About GE Aerospace
GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) is a global aerospace propulsion, services, and systems leader with an installed base of approximately 44,000 commercial and 26,000 military aircraft engines. With a global team of 52,000 employees building on more than a century of innovation and learning, GE Aerospace is committed to inventing the future of flight, lifting people up, and bringing them home safely. Learn more about how GE Aerospace and its partners are defining flight for today, tomorrow and the future at www.geaerospace.com.