🔴 Exclusive webinar: The Secrets of ProPicks AI Success Revealed + November’s List FREEWatch Now

Boeing supplier Spirit AeroSystems sues to block Texas safety probe

Published 05/02/2024, 10:57 AM
Updated 05/02/2024, 12:20 PM
© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The headquarters of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc, is seen in Wichita, Kansas, U.S. December 17, 2019. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo
SPR
-

By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) - Airline parts manufacturer Spirit AeroSystems (NYSE:SPR) has asked a U.S. judge to block a probe by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, calling the state's demand for internal documents and other information unreasonable and unlawful.

Spirit Aero filed the lawsuit Wednesday night in an Austin, Texas, federal court. It said Spirit Aero had significant legal concerns with the investigation that Paxton's office announced in March focused on the safety of airplane parts provided to Boeing (NYSE:BA).

Paxton's demands go too far and violate the U.S. Constitution’s right against unreasonable search and seizure, the company said.

Spirit Aero is a key supplier of fuselages for Boeing, which is facing mounting regulatory and investor scrutiny after January’s mid-air panel blowout on a new 737 MAX plane. Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun has announced he will step down by the year's end amid the sprawling safety crisis.

The Texas attorney general's office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Boeing, which is not a party in the new case, declined to comment. Spirit Aero declined further comment on the pending litigation.

Paxton's request directed Wichita, Kansas-based Spirit AeroSystems to turn over internal communication records and other documents "relevant to manufacturing defects in their products."

Paxton's investigation "bears no connection to events occurring in the State of Texas and as such has, at best, a questionable law enforcement purpose," Spirit Aero's lawsuit said.

The company said it has one repair-and-maintenance facility in Texas, where 98 of the company’s 20,655 employees work.

© Reuters. FILE PHOTO: The headquarters of Spirit AeroSystems Holdings Inc, is seen in Wichita, Kansas, U.S. December 17, 2019. REUTERS/Nick Oxford/File Photo

Spirit Aero said it "does not manufacture any part, in Kansas, Texas, or elsewhere, that allegedly failed in incidents involving Boeing 737 aircraft."

The case is Spirit AeroSystems Inc v. W. Kenneth Paxton, U.S. District Court, Western District of Texas, No. 1:24-cv-00472.

Latest comments

Risk Disclosure: Trading in financial instruments and/or cryptocurrencies involves high risks including the risk of losing some, or all, of your investment amount, and may not be suitable for all investors. Prices of cryptocurrencies are extremely volatile and may be affected by external factors such as financial, regulatory or political events. Trading on margin increases the financial risks.
Before deciding to trade in financial instrument or cryptocurrencies you should be fully informed of the risks and costs associated with trading the financial markets, carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite, and seek professional advice where needed.
Fusion Media would like to remind you that the data contained in this website is not necessarily real-time nor accurate. The data and prices on the website are not necessarily provided by any market or exchange, but may be provided by market makers, and so prices may not be accurate and may differ from the actual price at any given market, meaning prices are indicative and not appropriate for trading purposes. Fusion Media and any provider of the data contained in this website will not accept liability for any loss or damage as a result of your trading, or your reliance on the information contained within this website.
It is prohibited to use, store, reproduce, display, modify, transmit or distribute the data contained in this website without the explicit prior written permission of Fusion Media and/or the data provider. All intellectual property rights are reserved by the providers and/or the exchange providing the data contained in this website.
Fusion Media may be compensated by the advertisers that appear on the website, based on your interaction with the advertisements or advertisers.
© 2007-2024 - Fusion Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.