CHICAGO (dpa-AFX) - A former quality manager at Spirit AeroSystems, the
leading supplier to Boeing Co. (BA) and a significant manufacturer of the 737
Max aircraft, has recently come forward with allegations of being pressured to
downplay defects discovered during fuselage inspections.

Santiago Paredes, one of the latest whistleblowers from Boeing, shared his
experiences to CBS News shortly after another whistleblower and Spirit
AeroSystems employee passed away due to a rapid infection.

During his tenure at Spirit AeroSystems from 2010 to 2022, he discovered missing
fasteners, bent parts, and even missing parts, which he was pressured to ignore.

Spirit AeroSystems management urged him to limit reporting defects, dubbing him
'Showstopper' for highlighting defects that would cause delivery delays.

According to Paredes, the pressure to minimize defect reports increased in 2018
as Spirit AeroSystems shifted production from approximately 30 fuselages per
month to over 50. He was instructed to change defect reporting procedures to
reduce logged concerns, which he resisted. As a result, Paredes was demoted and
reassigned within the company as retribution for raising alarm about the
manufacturing practices.

After lodging an ethics complaint Paredes saw some of his grievances addressed,
which resulted in the restoration of his leadership role and compensation for
lost wages. However, despite these actions, Paredes chose to leave Spirit
AeroSystems.

He explained to CBS News that 'Working at Spirit, I almost grew a fear of
flying. Knowing what I know about the 737, it makes me very uncomfortable when I
fly on one of them.'

Paredes' disclosures have been cited as evidence in a lawsuit brought forth by
disgruntled Spirit shareholders who accuse the company of concealing widespread
quality issues.

A Spirit AeroSystems spokesperson has responded to Paredes' claims, stating that
they 'strongly disagree' with his allegations and that they are 'vigorously
defending' against his claims.



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