Japan’s IHI reveals more ‘improper’ engine inspections | Jane's

[LKJ86]

Japan’s IHI reveals more ‘improper’ engine inspections
Jon Grevatt, Bangkok - Jane's Defence Weekly
10 April 2019

Japan’s IHI Corporation said on 9 April that it found more than 7,000 cases of “improper” engine inspections in the process of making related components for commercial and military engines in the two years through to January 2019.

The development takes the number of confirmed flawed inspections to more than 13,000 after the company reported in March 6,340 cases of improper inspections on 209 engines during the same time frame.

About 20% of the inspected engines are for military use, the company said. In carrying out an investigation, which covered about 1.8 million engine parts, IHI stressed that it has found no safety problems because of the inadequate inspections and that the affected engines meet all technical standards.

Source:https://www.janes.com/article/87801/japan-s-ihi-reveals-more-improper-engine-inspections

 

[LKJ86]

 

[Tshering22]

Wow... I never expected Japanese to have quality issues.

 

[LKJ86]

Japan's IHI Corp. admits to 211 improper inspections of airplane engines in two years
Source: Xinhua | 2019-03-08 21:57:39 | Editor: xuxin

TOKYO, March 8 (Xinhua) -- Japan's heavy machinery maker IHI Corp. admitted on Friday that the company has conducted 211 cases of improper inspections of airplane engines over the past two years, local media reported.

The company, a supplier of Boeing Co. and Airbus S.A.S., released the result of its internal investigation on around 40,000 inspection records over the past two years, uncovering improper checks by uncertified workers as well.

The Japanese transport ministry conducted an on-site check early this year and discovered some malpractices, prompting the company to go over its manufacturing checks.

According to IHI, workers unqualified to carry out inspections were involved in visual inspections of engine parts for low-cost carriers at a factory in Tokyo that is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of around 150 airplane engines a year.

It was also found that unqualified workers were using the names of qualified inspectors to sign off on documents they compiled related to the improper inspections.

The corporation said that the misconduct began at the latest in January 2017 at the Tokyo factory due to a shortage of inspectors, among other factors.

IHI admitted to the existence of malpractices in its inspections on Tuesday and released a statement of apology.

"We deeply apologize for causing concern and worries to our stakeholders, including customers and clients," IHI said, although affirming that the unqualified inspections have not led to any disruptions to flights as a result of potentially faulty engines.

Transport minister Keiichi Ishii told a press conference on the matter Tuesday that the ministry will "consider taking necessary administrative measures."

IHI is the latest Japanese firm found to have been carrying out improper safety checks or fabricating quality control data.

Automakers Nissan Motors Co. and Subaru Corp. have admitted to inspections being carried out by unqualified staff. Kobe Steel Ltd. and Mitsubishi Materials Corp., meanwhile, have admitted to fabricating data related to their products.

Source:http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-03/08/c_137879522.htm

 

[AViet]

I've worked with various Japanese and Western suppliers. The stupid "liberal", "freedom" and "professional" thinking, including in education and corporate environments, have made their work quality going down in very fast speed, which I could not imagine 20 years ago.

Just for one example: the "professional" specialists (typical from western countries like Germany or Italy) now generally will charge very high rate, refuse to work after 17:00 and weekends, refuse to work when there is any slightest danger, but his typical advices will always be "I need to report to headquarter and wait for their calculations"